Trio of Jackets Named to HCAC’s Preseason Watch List
DEFIANCE, Ohio – As the start of the fall season draws closer, the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference released its 2009 Preseason Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll. Defiance was selected ninth, despite placing three players on the league’s preseason watch list.
DEFIANCE, Ohio – As the start of the fall season draws closer, the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference released its 2009 Preseason Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll. Defiance was selected ninth, despite placing three players on the league's preseason watch list.
Rose-Hulman topped the poll with 80.5 points and was followed by Transylvania at 71.5 points in what figures to be a two-team chase for the league title. Manchester (57), Hanover (49), Anderson (48), Franklin (34), Bluffton (32), Mount St. Joseph (19) and Defiance (14) rounded out the preseason rankings.
The Yellow Jackets struggled through a rebuilding year in 2008, tallying just one victory while playing numerous underclassmen. With a much deeper and more experienced squad shaping up for this season, Defiance expects to be much more competitive in 2009.
DC will be led by its lone senior Greg Vogt, who led the team with 18 shots and two assists one year ago. Vogt was one of three Yellow Jackets to earn a spot on the HCAC Players-to-Watch List and will be joined by rising junior Chris Kessler and rising sophomore Kevin Elson. Kessler was one of DC's top scoring threats in 2008, as the forward topped the Jackets with two goals, four points and eight shots on goal. Elson quickly earned a reputation for his strong defensive play, earning Second-Team All-HCAC honors during his rookie year and will look to anchor the DC defensive unit once again in 2009.
The Jackets will get their season underway on September 4, when they host Finlandia in the opening match of the 2009 Defiance Classic.