The 2010 poll marks the fifth-straight year that Campbell has been chosen either first or second in the A-Sun voting. Campbell was on top of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 polls, and second in 2009. The Camels won the A-Sun tournament title in 2007 and claimed the last two regular season crowns.
Stetson, which defeated Mercer 2-1 in the 2009 A-Sun Championship final, was chosen as the league favorite with 94 points and six first-place votes. Campbell (78 points, 2 first place) was second, followed by Florida Gulf Coast (77, 1), East Tennessee State (66, 1), Mercer (65) and Jacksonville (59). Lipscomb (41), North Florida (30), Belmont (26) and USC Upstate (14) rounded out the poll.
The Hatters have compiled a 27-9-6 record in league regular season play – second only to Campbell’s 32-5-5 mark – since the opening of the 2005 campaign.
“It is an honor to be selected by the conference coaches before the season begins to finish towards the top of the conference, but this does not necessarily determine what happens through the year,” said head coach Steve Armas, who is entering his first season in charge of the program after spending the last four years as its top assistant coach. ” I feel that this will serve as motivation for the team in two ways. Although not picked to finish first, the motivation to be the best and strive to prove our worth will definitely be in our minds. On the other hand, it will be a reminder that expectations are high and the challenge should be met.”
Over the last five years, CU won three A-Sun regular season championships (2005, 2008, 2009), one A-Sun tournament title (2007), and made the school’s first appearance in the NCAA Division I College Cup (2007).
The Camels have compiled a 58-35-7 overall record (.615) during that span. Furthermore, Campbell also owns the best A-Sun regular season record (32-5-5, .821) of all league members since the start of the 2005 season.
“We have been fortunate to be picked at or near the top each of the last five years, but it is important to remember that each year is unique—what happened last year has no bearing on wins this year,” said Armas. “The reality is that the games still need to be played and we will still need to show up on a daily basis and perform. This 2010 men’s soccer team is a young group with new challenges that lie ahead and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.”
Eleven letter winners, including six starters, return from last season’s club that finished 7-1-1 in the league and 8-10-1 overall. Over the past two years, the Camels own a 16-1-1 mark in A-Sun regular season play.
A sophomore from Spring, Texas, Cardenas earned second-team all-conference and A-Sun all-freshman team recognition a year ago after he led all A-Sun freshmen in assists (6) and ranked second in points (16). Overall, Cardenas ranked seventh among A-Sun leaders in points, tied for ninth in goals (5) and was third in assists.
Campbell’s second-leading scorer in 2009 (behind last season’s A-Sun player of the year, Vince Petrasso), Cardenas’ first career assist set up the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Georgia Southern. He assisted on CU’s first goal and scored the winner in a 3-1 victory at Belmont. His 84th minute strike was the lone goal in 1-0 win at Mercer. Cardenas also assisted on game-winners at Stetson and vs. Jacksonville.
“This recognition is a credit to Mitchell’s performance and contribution to our success in conference play last season,” said Armas. “He is a dynamic attacking player with the ability to involve and positively affect his teammates. I know that a lot will be asked of Mitchell this season and I am certain he will be up for the challenge.”
The Camels open pre-season play on Saturday at Elon (7:00 p.m.), then host Coastal Carolina on Aug. 27 in their final tune-up. Defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference visits the Eakes Complex for the regular season opener on Wed., Sept. 1. The Greyhounds are the first of five schools (including UNC Wilmington, Charlotte, Stetson and Virginia) that advanced to NCAA post-season play in ’09 to appear on the 2010 Fighting Camel schedule.
Atlantic Sun Men’s Soccer Pre-Season Coaches Poll
# School (1st place votes) Points
1. Stetson (6) 94
2. Campbell (2) 78
3. Florida Gulf Coast (1) 77
4. East Tennessee State (1) 66
5. Mercer 65
6. Jacksonville 59
7. Lipscomb 41
8. North Florida 30
9. Belmont 26
10. USC Upstate 14
Atlantic Sun Pre-Season All-Conference Team
GK / Brett Petricek / So. / Mercer
D / Guilherme Reis / Sr. / East Tennessee State
D / Tobbias Hottner / Jr. /Jacksonville
D / Garrett McLaughlin / Sr. / Lipscomb
MF / Fredrik Brustad / Jr. / Stetson
MF / Ian Cameron / Sr. / Mercer
MF / Mitchell Cardenas / So. / Campbell
MF / Jonathan Mendoza / So. / Stetson
F / Miguel DaSilva / Sr. / Lipscomb
F / Brandon Tarr / So. / Belmont
F / Adam O’Neill / Sr. / North Florida
F / Aaron Schoenfeld / Jr. / East Tennessee State
Preseason Player of the Year: Fredrik Brustad (Stetson)
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