MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 12, 2008) - The West Virginia University
men's soccer team earned the No. 15 ranking in the National Soccer
Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas poll today. This marks the
second-consecutive year that the Mountaineers have earned a ranking in
the Top 15 of the preseason poll.
Under head coach Marlon LeBlanc, WVU has been ranked in the nation's
Top 25 since the first week of the 2006 season, an accumulation of
25-straight weeks.
The Mountaineers, who reached as high as No. 5 in the poll on Sept. 18,
2007, finished the season ranked No. 13.
Also announced today were the BIG EAST men's soccer preseason
rankings and awards. The league voted West Virginia to finish fourth in
the Blue Division, behind Connecticut, Notre Dame and Providence.
The Mountaineers concluded the 2007 campaign with a 14-6-2 overall
record and a 7-3-1 conference mark, good enough for third in the
division. The squad, which earned a first-round bye at the NCAA
Tournament for the second straight year, reached the "Sweet 16" for
the first time since 1981.
WVU opened preseason camp on Sunday and will face Virginia in its first
of two exhibition matches on Saturday. The match against the Cavaliers
at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
2008 BIG EAST Preseason Rankings - Blue Division
1. Connecticut
2. Notre Dame
3. Providence
4. West Virginia
5. Seton Hall
6. Georgetown
7. Marquette
8. Pittsburgh
