August 24, 2005 

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - N.C. Wesleyan was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to defend its USA South Athletic Conference men's soccer title in 2005.  The Battling Bishops won the regular season and tournament title and then advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2004.

Greensboro College, which has not finished lower than second in conference regular season plays since 1987, was picked fourth in the rankings. Under first-year Head Coach Bill Brady, GC opens the season versus Capital University at the Ohio Wesleyan Tournament on Sept. 2nd.

N.C. Wesleyan received five of seven first place votes (35 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Christopher Newport University finished second in the balloting with 30 points and two first place vote.  Methodist College rounded out the top-three as the Monarchs collected 25 points.

The men's soccer regular season gets underway on Thursday, September 1 when Shenandoah University host Catholic University and Ferrum College travels to Emory & Henry College.