NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - After capturing their second Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Regular Season Championship last season, the Wilmington University men's soccer team has been voted atop the 2016 CACC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll, as announced by the conference office on Monday.
The Wildcats received eight of the league's 13 first place votes to earn 160 points to sit atop the poll. The Wildcats were the overwhelming favorites during the voting process, as they bested the field by 14 points.
Post claimed the second spot with 146 points and one first place vote while defending CACC Tournament Champion Bloomfield earned two first place votes and 131 points for third place. Philadelphia rounds out the projected semifinals with one first place vote and 125 points.
Dominican earned 117 points to finish fifth followed by Concordia (96 points), Chestnut Hill (92), and Caldwell (73) to close out the projected teams to make the 2016 CACC Men's Soccer Tournament.
Georgian Court received 63 points to finish ninth overall, followed by Nyack (62), Goldey-Beacom (53), Holy Family (45 and one first place vote), and Felician (19), to round out the preseason coaches' poll.
The Wildcats went 15-6 last year, taking the regular season championship with a 10-2 mark in CACC play. Despite falling in the CACC Tournament Semifinals, the Wildcats earned a bid into the NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament, winning the first-round game in overtime.
The 2016 season kicks off on September 3 when the team hosts NYIT at the WU Athletics Complex. The top eight teams during CACC play advance to the CACC Tournament with the first round game scheduled for November 1. The four advancing teams will play in the CACC Tournament Semifinals on November 4 at Georgian Court. A champion will be crowned on November 6 in Lakewood, N.J.
AGATE:
2016 CACC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Wilmington University – 160 pts (8 first place votes)
2. Post University – 146 (1)
3. Bloomfield College – 131 (2)
4. Philadelphia University – 125 (1)
5. Dominican College – 117
6. Concordia College – 96
7. Chestnut Hill College – 92
8. Caldwell University – 73
9. Georgian Court University – 63
10. Nyack College – 62
11. Goldey-Beacom College – 53
12. Holy Family University – 45 (1)
13. Felician University - 19