Carson-Newman Picked To Capture 2006 SAC Men’s Soccer Title

ROCK HILL, SC - Carson-Newman College, coming off its third consecutive league championship, is the favorite to win its fourth straight South Atlantic Conference title in a vote of the league coaches, it was announced today by the league office.

The Eagles received five first-place votes and 59 total points. The Eagles also had five named to the preseason All-Conference team, including two-time SAC Player of the Year Tyler Baldock, a senior All-American goalkeeper. Joining Baldock on the first team is forward Dario Carrasco. Forward Jussi Wooler and midfielders Daniel Deaderick and Carlos Maqueda.

The Eagles finished the 2005 regular season undefeated in conference play, won the Food Lion SAC Tournament, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.

Catawba College, which finished second last year in the final standings and lost to Carson-Newman in the tournament finals, is picked to finish second in 2006. Catawba received two first-place votes and 50 total points. The Catawba Indians placed midfielder Nathan Zuzga on the preseason All-Conference first team team.

The Tusculum Pioneers, who finished third in the 2005 SAC standings, are picked to finish third. The Pioneers picked up one first-place vote and 49 total points. The Pioneers placed two on the preseason All-Conference team, with midfielder Justin VanMatre on the first team.

Wingate University picked up 35 total points for a fourth-place finish in the poll. Wingate placed three on the preseason All-Conference squad, including midfielder Ben Clark and defender Kerrin Sheldon.

Presbyterian College received 32 total points to finish in fifth in the coaches poll. The Blue Hose placed four on the preseason All-Conference team, with forward Brandon Tucker and defenders Jonathan Anderson and John Odum named to the first team.

Lenoir-Rhyne College is sixth in the poll with 31 points. The Bears also placed five on the preseason All-Conference team. Forward Luis Carrizosa, midfielder Gary Higgins and defender Ged Quinn were named to the first team.

Mars Hill College and Newberry College finished in a tie for the seventh spot with 16 points each.

Forward Daniel Waymont was a first team preseason All-SAC selection for Mars Hill, one of two total preseason All-Conference picks for the Lions.

Newberry had four players named to the preseason All-Conference second team.

Lincoln Memorial, the newest member of the South Atlantic Conference, will not be eligible for the conference championship or awards this season.

The 2006 season opens Thursday, August 24 with Carson-Newman, Lenoir-Rhyne and Newberry all in action.

The 2006 Food Lion SAC Men's Soccer Tournament will culminate with the semifinals at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN., Friday, October 27, with the finals on Sunday, October 29.

2006 SAC MEN'S SOCCER COACHES POLL

Pl School Pts.
1. Carson-Newman 59 (5)
2. Catawba 50 (2)
3. Tusculum 49 (1)
4. Wingate 35
5. Presbyterian 32
6. Lenoir-Rhyne 31
7. (tie) Mars Hill 16
Newberry 16
(First place votes in parenthesis)

2006 PRESEASON ALL-SAC
FIRST TEAM
Forward - Dario Carrasco, Carson-Newman
Forward - Luis Carrizosa, Lenoir-Rhyne
Forward - Brandon Tucker, Presbyterian
Forward - Daniel Waymont, Mars Hill
Midfielder - Nathan Zuzga, Catawba
Midfielder - Ben Clark, Wingate
Midfielder - Gary Higgins, Lenoir-Rhyne
Midfielder - Justin VanMatre, Tusculum
Defender - Jonathan Anderson, Presbyterian
Defender - John Odum, Presbyterian
Defender - Ged Quinn, Lenoir-Rhyne
Defender - Kerrin Sheldon, Wingate
Goalkeeper - Tyler Baldock, Carson-Newman

SECOND TEAM
Forward - Rocky Gifford, Lenoir-Rhyne
Forward - Jeffrey Taylor, Newberry
Forward - Nate Whitehurst, Lenoir-Rhyne
Forward - Jussi Wooler, Carson-Newman
Midfielder - Daniel Deaderick, Carson-Newman
Midfielder - Carlos Maqueda, Carson-Newman
Midfielder - Edsel Rudder, Newberry
Midfielder - Gareth Williams, Tusculum
Defender - Jeffrey Bell, Newberry
Defender - William Dolbeer, Mars Hill
Defender - Robbie Getsinger, Newberry
Defender - Lee Minton, Wingate
Goalkeeper - Mark Owens, Presbyterian