WINTER PARK, Fla.  (Aug. 20, 2010) – The Nova Southeastern men’s soccer team was picked sixth in the Sunshine State Conference preseason poll, as announced by the conference office Friday. The Sharks received 87 points in the poll.

The men’s soccer team enters the 2010 season with 16 returners, including 10 seniors, and eight freshmen. Returning to the pitch this season are the Sharks’ 2009 leading goal scorer Aly Hassan (Sr., Weston, Fla.) and assist leader Craig Heenighan (Sr., Widnes, England). The Sharks will also bring back their entire starting defense.

The 2009 Sharks ended their season after advancing to the SSC Tournament semifinals. They defeated two nationally ranked teams during the regular season and tied No. 17 Lynn in the opening round of the SSC Tournament before advancing to the semifinals on penalty kicks.

Barry was tabbed as the preseason favorite to win this season’s title, edging Lynn by just two points in the poll. Last season’s SSC tournament champion, Barry amassed 173 points and seven first-place votes in the poll. Lynn garnered 171 points and eight first-place nods to place second. The rivals tied for third place in last year’s conference standings, etching 5-3 slates in SSC action.

Rollins and Tampa tied for third place in the preseason poll, receiving 145 points each. The two teams were SSC co-champions in 2009, posting identical 7-1 records in conference play. In the poll, Rollins landed two first-place votes, while UT claimed the remaining top nod.

Florida Tech appeared in the fifth slot in the poll with 93 points. Saint Leo received 82 points to take the seventh position. Eckerd (43) and Florida Southern (33) rounded out the poll.

The Sharks will kick off the 2010 season in Memphis, Tenn. against Christian Brothers on Sept. 3 at 7 pm. They will return to NSU for their first home game against Florida Memorial on Sept. 10 at 7 pm.

2010 SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
Rank – Team                          Points (1st Place Votes)
1 – Barry                                                 173 (7)
2 – Lynn                                                  171 (8)
T3 – Rollins                                            145 (2)
T3 – Tampa                                            145 (1)
5 – Florida Tech                                        93
6 – Nova Southeastern                          87
7 – Saint Leo                                              82
8 – Eckerd                                                  43
9 – Florida Southern                                 33