June 25, 2009

College Soccer News Preseason Poll

BOSTON - The defending America East tournament and regular season champion Boston University men's soccer team has been ranked 23rd in the College Soccer News Preseason Top-30 Poll, announced earlier this week by the online publication. The Terriers, who completed the 2008 season with a 12-6-3 overall record and a 6-1-1 conference mark, were ranked 25th in CSN's final poll of 2008.

"We're pleased to receive this ranking because it recognizes the success we had last season, which included reaching the second round of the NCAA tournament," said 25th-year head coach Neil Roberts. "We have a lot of potential on this year's team, and we are looking forward to beginning the season. It will be fun to work with the men in helping them to reach that potential and build upon what we accomplished in 2008."

The Terriers return 10 starters from the 2008 NCAA tournament team that earned a 1-0 first-round victory against Fairleigh Dickinson. The squad will have plenty of talent and depth, led by senior captains Shaun Taylor, Samuel Appiah and Richy Dorman. Taylor was the offensive leader for the Terriers, ending the season tied-for-second in the AE with nine goals while also finishing third in points with 21.

Both Appiah and Dorman worked alongside AE all-rookie team member Colin Henry in the midfield and backline to help senior goalie Hrafn Davidsson shut out 10 opponents. 2007 AE Rookie of the Year Aaron O'Neal is back at the front line with 2008 AE Midfield and Rookie of the Year Michael Bustamante. The rising sophomore was named a second-team freshman all-American by Soccer America and will only continue to improve his play.

CSN's preseason poll reflects the difficulty of BU's schedule with the Terriers possibly having the opportunity to upset the No. 1 ranked team in the nation when St. John's visits Nickerson Field on Sept. 13. Before that matchup, BU will visit No. 20 Connecticut in the second game of the season on Sept. 5.

BU opens the season at UMass on Sept. 1 and will host Providence in the home opener on Sept. 7.