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Siena Men's Soccer Ranks 8th in Preseason Poll
Aug. 8, 2008
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena men's soccer was picked eighth in the MAAC Preseason Poll as announced by the league yesterday. The preseason rankings are voted on by the league's 10 head coaches. Loyola College, the defending MAAC Champion, was picked to win the 2008 MAAC men's soccer title. The Greyhounds earned the top spot with 99 points in the poll. Siena ranked eighth with 26 points. Siena men's soccer is in transition heading into 2008. Gareth Elliott takes the reigns as head coach, replacing Charlie Curto who had directed the program for 24 years. Elliott becomes Siena's sixth head coach in program history. He arrives from the University of Rhode Island where he served as an assistant coach for five years at his alma mater, bringing a winning background to Siena, both as a player and a coach. The transition not only comes with the coaching change, but with the players. The Saints are losing nine letterwinners, including five starters. Some of the bigger losses are captains 2007 MAAC First Team selection Liam Welsh and 2007 MAAC Second Team pick Jason Laffin. "We have some holes to fill, but this program will move forward and be successful," Elliott said. "Our goal is to make the MAAC Tournament. If we get there, anything can happen." The Saints will look to their co-captains Ross Cardinell (Loudonville, N.Y./Shaker) and Sebastien Anzevui (Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear, U.K./St. Thomas Moore ) and the other four seniors for leadership. Cardinell has played in 52 games during his career and started all 20 matches last year. Anzevui started all 18 games he played in last season and leads by example.
2008 MAAC MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL 1. Loyola 99 2. Fairfield 86 3. Saint Peter's 77 4. Canisius 60 5. Iona 58 6. Marist 56 7. Niagara 49 8. Siena 26 9. Rider 24 10. Manhattan 15 |
