Aug. 6, 2008

2008 MPSF PRESEASON MEN'S SOCCER COACHES' POLL

New Mexico edged Denver for the top spot in the 2008 MPSF preseason men's soccer coaches' poll with 24 points, and four first-place votes. The Lobos have won the last four MPSF Championships and have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in six of the last seven years. Returning is 2007 conference player of the year and scoring leader Chris Wright (12 goals/four assists), in addition to a pair of first-team defenders in Zach Tierney and Simon Ejdemyr. Last year's MPSF runner-up, Denver, is once again picked for second, collecting 22 points with a pair of first-place votes. The Pioneers return a handful of All-MPSF players from a year ago. In a third-place tie, San Jose State and UNLV totaled 15 points each. The Rebels tied for fifth last year, meaning they are picked to be the most improved team according to the projected two-spot leap. Sacramento State and Air Force rounded out the poll, with eight and six points respectively. The 2008 season officially begins the weekend of Friday, August 29 for every MPSF team.