Bowling Green State University Athletics
Men's Soccer Picked To Finish Fifth
August 17, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 17, 2005
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University men's soccer program was picked to finish fifth in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll, announced by the conference office this morning (Aug. 17).
The Falcons, of second-year head coach Fred Thompson, will return seven starters from last season's squad.
Defending Mid-American Conference Tournament Champion Akron was picked to win both the regular season and tournament titles in the the 2005 MAC men's soccer preseason poll voted on by the head coaches and released by the conference office on Wednesday, August 17.
Akron head coach Ken Lolla will welcome back 12 letterwinners, including six starters from a Zips squad that reached the NCAA Tournament last season for the third time in the past four years. Senior Ross McKenzie led the Zips in points (25), goals (8) and assists (9) last season and will be looked upon to provide leadership after losing All-MAC first team selections Alex Odwell and Cameron Knowles.
Northern Illinois was picked to finish second by the coaches. 2004 MAC Coach of the Year Steve Simmons will bring back 16 letterwinners, including nine starters. Among those returnees is All-MAC First Team selection and MAC Newcomer of the Year Curt Zastrow. Zastrow finished last season with eight goals, while assisting on two. He also provided a spark for the Huskies by scoring the game winning goal on three occasions. The Huskies will also return 2004 All-MAC first team selection Jose Alvarado and second team selections Justin McGrane, Fraser Gibson and Steve Goletz.
Western Michigan was tabbed to finish third after finishing as runner-up in the MAC Tournament. The Broncos welcome back 12 letterwinners, including six starters. Among those returning is junior Dustin Snyder. Snyder was selected to the All-MAC first team last season after scoring 25 points on 10 goals, while assisting on five. Also returning will be senior Edgar Rivera who was selected to the All-MAC second team.
Buffalo was picked to finish fourth. The Bulls will bring back 15 letterwinners, including eight starters.
