Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Picked Second in Big Ten Preseason Poll
8/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 18, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern's men's soccer team has been tabbed to finish second in the Big Ten this season in a preseason poll of the conference's head coaches. Indiana was selected as the favorite to win the league title.
The Wildcats return nine starters and 16 letterwinners from last year's squad which went 12-5-3 overall and 3-2-1 in Big Ten play, good for third place. Among NU's top returners are Carl Pett, who was a first-team All-Big Ten pick a year ago, and Piero Bellizzi, Mark Blades and Misha Rosenthal who were all second-team selections.
Indiana won the 2007 Big Ten regular season title and has won a conference-record Big Ten crowns overall.
Northwestern is ranked one spot ahead of defending national runner-up Ohio State. The Buckeyes are followed by Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Penn State.
Head coach Tim Lenahan's squad opens its 2008 regular season August 29 when it hosts San Francisco as part of the Lakeside Classic.
Big Ten Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Indiana
2. Northwestern
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Michigan State
6. Wisconsin
7. Penn State
