KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – Barry University men’s soccer team has been tabbed 12th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s preseason Division II national poll.
The Bucs ended their 2011 season in a heartbreaking penalty kick shutout against rival Lynn after a double overtime tie (1-1). Barry’s season came to an end in the Regional final against the eventual runner-up for the second consecutive year.
This season the Bucs will have to manage without National Player of the Year, Mark Anderson, but a strong core of veterans with a highly touted recruiting class should push the Bucs into the upper echelon of division II.
Between the pipes the Bucs will look to senior All-American Johnny Rodrigues to anchor their defense and provide leadership. Others such as Guilherme Oliveira, and Joe Conkleton will be asked upon to lead the squad as they find their style in the early part of the season.
McCrath, like every season, has a challenging schedule ahead for his team, but the veteran coach has been there before and is excited for the 2012 campaign. The Sunshine State Conference and the South Region are composed of perennial powers in DII men’s soccer.
The Buccaneers kickoff their season on the road on Aug. 30 when they battle #17 Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C. Barry will then travel to Greenville, Tenn. to face Tusculum on Sep. 1st before returning to Miami Shores for their home opener against Bentley on Sep. 8.
For coverage of men’s soccer action throughout the season follow along through Barry University’s athletics website, GOBARRYBUCS.COM.
Rank | School | Prev. | W-L-T |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fort Lewis | 1 | 24-1-0 |
2 | Lynn | 2 | 14-5-3 |
3 | Franklin Pierce | 3 | 21-1-1 |
4 | Millersville | 4 | 15-7-1 |
5 | Flagler | 5 | 17-3-3 |
6 | Rockhurst | 6 | 17-3-2 |
7 | Southern New Hampshire | 7 | 18-4-0 |
8 | Cal State Los Angeles | 8 | 15-2-6 |
9 | Simon Fraser | 10 | 18-0-1 |
10 | Incarnate Word | 9 | 14-3-0 |
11 | Seattle Pacific | 11 | 14-4-2 |
12 | Barry | 13 | 12-3-6 |
13 | C.W. Post | 12 | 17-3-1 |
14 | Midwestern State | 16 | 13-4-1 |
15 | Northern Kentucky | 14 | 14-5-0 |
16 | California (Pa.) | 15 | 12-4-4 |
17 | Mars Hill | 17 | 13-6-1 |
18 | Coker | 18 | 18-3-0 |
19 | Christian Brothers | 19 | 15-4-1 |
20 | Rollins | 20 | 15-4-0 |
21 | St. Thomas Aquinas | 21 | 11-4-4 |
22 | Saginaw Valley State | 22 | 12-5-3 |
23 | Chico State | 24 | 13-4-4 |
24 | Anderson (S.C.) | 25 | 17-4-0 |
25 | University of Charleston (W.Va.) | RV | 13-6-0 |
Also receiving votes: Metro State (Colo.), Fort Hays State (Kan.), Lees-McRae (N.C.), Texas A&M International, Northeastern State (Okla.), Cal State Dominguez Hills
