Men's Soccer Release (2004) - Preseason Poll - Guilford College

  • GUILFORD PICKED SEVENTH  IN ODAC MEN'S SOCCER POLL

 

Greensboro, NC (08/23/04) -- Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) men's soccer coaches picked Guilford seventh in their annual preseason poll Monday. Defending league champion Virginia Wesleyan was picked first this year.

Coach Liam Behrens starts his eighth season with 12 letter winners returning from last season's 10-8-1 squad. Guilford will miss the experience and skill of graduated seniors Tim Imafidon '04, T. J. Muse '04, Ampofo Darko '04, and Noam Sorek '04. Imafidon, who was Guilford's first NCAA Division III All- American, scored a school-record 44 career goals. The four players combined for over 70 percent of the Quakers' goals during 2003.

Guilford will rely on the experience of its six seniors in its quest for the ODAC crown and the automatic NCAA Tournament berth it brings. Look for returning all-conference players seniors Darriel Cannon (Midlothian,VA/Midlothian) and Brett Ralls (High Point, NC/Ledford) to play a pivotal role in the Quakers' success this upcoming season. Cannon scored a career-high eight points last season and Ralls is a three-year captain.

The Quakers will also look to senior forwards Steffen Schollaert (Oak Ridge, NC/Northwest Guilford) and Matt Feraci (Midlothian, VA/Midlothian) for leadership up top. Schollaert ranked third on the team with 16 points in his first season after transferring from the College of Charleston. Feraci, who competed in 13 contests last year at Appalachian State, is a solid player who competes well with his back to the goal .

The Quakers open the season September 4 versus Mount Olive in Rocky Mount, NC. Guilford hosts 2003 ODAC Champion Virginia Wesleyan September 18 at 1:00 pm in its home opener.

- Seth Feinberg '05

2004 ODAC Preseason Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll

(first-place votes in parentheses)

1. Virginia Wesleyan (7) - 96

2. Roanoke (2) - 90

3. Washington and Lee - 72

4. Randolph-Macon - 58

5. Bridgewater - 53

5. Eastern Mennonite - 53

7. Guilford - 47

8. Hampden-Sydney (1) - 44

9. Lynchburg - 31

10. Emory & Henry - 12