Aug. 4, 2009

2009 Schedule | Tickets | Follow SLU Men's Soccer on Twitter

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University men's soccer was picked second in the Atlantic 10 Conference preseason men's soccer poll following a vote by the league's head coaches.

The Billikens return 15 letterwinners (five starters) from last year's club that finished 12-5-5 overall and 6-3-0 in the A-10. SLU advanced to its third straight NCAA Tournament and knocked off Drake in the first round before falling at Indiana in second round action.

Senior midfielder Kyle Hayes is the Bills' leading returning scorer after notching 16 points (6G, 4A) last season. SLU also returns a back line that includes senior All-Region defenders Tim Ream and Rob Viviano.

A talented group of newcomers, including sophomore transfer Mike Roach, will help fill the void left by the departure of six seniors who saw extensive playing time last season. The incoming class was ranked 10th by Soccer America, and the Billikens placed a league-high four newcomers on the A-10's preseason All-Rookie Team.

Dayton, which won the A-10 Tournament title last season, was picked first in the poll. UMass, which has qualified for the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons, was third. Charlotte, Rhode Island and Temple rounded out the top six. The top six squads at the end of the regular season advances to the A-10 Championship beginning Nov. 12 at the University of Rhode Island.

2009 Predicted Order Of Finish (2008 A-10/Overall record in parentheses)
1. Dayton (6-2-1/15-4-3)
2. Saint Louis (6-3-0/12-5-5)
3. Massachusetts (7-1-1/10-8-3)
4. Charlotte (4-4-1/12-6-1)
5. Rhode Island (4-3-2/8-8-3)
6. Temple (6-1-2/10-5-4)
7. George Washington (4-3-2/8-6-4)
8. Fordham (5-3-1/9-8-2)
9. Duquesne (1-7-1-/5-10-4)
10. La Salle (1-8-0/2-14-3)
11. Xavier (2-5-2/3-12-3)
12. Richmond (2-4-3/3-12-3)
13. St. Bonaventure (4-4-1/6-6-4)
14. Saint Joseph's (2-6-1/5-8-2)