SSC Releases Preseason Mens Soccer Poll

ORLANDO, Fla. (Men’s Soccer) – The 2007 men’s soccer preseason polls have been released by the Sunshine State Conference and the Florida Tech Panthers were
picked to finish eighth while Lynn was chosen as the preseason favorite. Rollins and Barry were chosen to finish second and third respectively.  
Despite the preseason eighth place pick, the Florida Tech men’s soccer program has high expectations as they enter this season building on last year’s
effort of winning the most games by a men’s Panther soccer team since 1999.   “We have an exciting season ahead of us,” men’s soccer head coach Robin
Chan said. “We’re going to have a very different team, and the returning players are excited.”   Chan welcomes 17 newcomers to the team this year, the
largest incoming class he has ever had. But the best part about such a large squad is the competition the players will foster in practice.   “Some of
the talent we have coming in will make an immediate impact,” Chan said. “They will create a very competitive environment at practice, and that’s always
positive and exciting.”   Most coaches can only hope for such a competitive environment every day at practice. Chan and assistant coach Mark Nicole
will tell you that when players are forced to compete for positions at practice, their play in the games reflect that competitive drive.   “If you can
get players to compete in training, than you have a real team,” Nicole said.   This new crop of Panthers aren’t the only reason to be excited about
this season. The team returns a number of experienced and talented players.   “We have some good leaders coming back,” Chan said. “They’ll be real
important pieces of the puzzle for us in terms of experience and leadership.”   The Panthers should be a fun team to watch because Chan plans to play
an attacking style which falls in line with the team’s performance last year. Florida Tech consistently produced more shots on goal than their opponents
and achieved a better goals per-shot-attempts percentage than the whole of their opponents.   Do not confuse an attacking team as an undisciplined
team though. Chan promises a disciplined group that is up to the test of this season.   “The players will relish the challenge this year,” Chan said.
  2007 SSC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Place – Team, Points (1st Place Votes)
1 – Lynn, 29 (11)
2 – Rollins, 54 (5)
3 – Barry, 60 (1)
4 – Tampa, 76 (1)
5 – Saint Leo, 82
6 – Nova Southeastern, 119
7 – Florida Southern, 121
8 – Florida Tech, 133
9 – Eckerd, 136