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Billikens Picked to Win A-10 Men's Soccer Title
Aug. 4, 2008
2008 Schedule | Ticket Information
St. Louis - Saint Louis University men's soccer has been selected to capture the 2008 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship, according to voting conducted by the league's head coaches. The Billikens return nine starters from last year's squad that grabbed the league's regular season title and finished 12-2-5 overall. The Billikens return five players who were tabbed first-team All-Region selections a year ago. Among that group is the A-10's reigning Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in midfielder Kyle Patterson and defender Calum Angus, respectively. Patterson led the team with 24 points (10G, 4A), while Angus picked up All-America honors after anchoring the league's top defense. Also returning are forwards Scott Wisniewski (7G, 4A), Dado Hamzagic (5G, 4A), Jimmy Holmes (6G, 1A) and midfielder Brandon Barklage (3G, 5A). In all, the Billikens return their top six scorers. Familiar faces will also play a part in solidifying the Billikens' defensive effort. Angus, along All-Conference selections Tim Ream and Rob Viviano, return to anchor a defense that allowed a league-low 13 goals in 2007. First-team All-Region midfielder Eric Sweetin and junior midfielder Josh Aranda will help support the middle, and keepers Pat Disbennett and Ross Kaufman return to the nets.
Massachusetts, the 2007 A-10 Tournament champion and College Cup participant, is picked second, while Charlotte is tabbed for third. Rhode Island, Dayton and George Washington are projected as the other teams expected to fill out the 2008 A-10 Tournament bracket when the top six teams convene for the postseason event at Duquesne's Rooney Field Nov. 13-16. Meanwhile, SLU's recruiting class drew acclaim from CollegeSoccerNews.com, which ranked the class 24th nationally. Freshmen Jonas Reiter and Keegan Smith were named to the website's Top 100 Freshman to Watch in 2008. The Billikens open their preseason schedule at Robert R. Hermann Stadium by hosting DePaul on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. Season and individual game tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 977-4SLU or visiting SLU's official website at www.slubillikens.com.
2008 Predicted Order Of Finish (2007 A-10/Overall record in parentheses) |
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