ROCK HILL, SC – Carson-Newman College, last season’s regular-season South Atlantic Conference championship team which advanced to the national quarterfinals, was chosen to win the 2004 title in a vote of the league coaches, it was announced today by the league office.

The Eagles received four first-place votes and 58 total points. Carson-Newman also led the way with six members on the preseason All-Conference team, which was also announced. Midfielder Brad Cobbs and defender Kyle Frohock were both selected to the first team.

Presbyterian College picked up two first place votes and received 50 total points to finish in second in the coaches poll. The Blue Hose placed four on the preseason All-Conference team, with returning All-Conference goalie Kevin Czar and forward Trent Weber named to the first team.

Catawba College, last year’s Food Lion SAC Tournament champion, is picked to finish in third. The Indians received one first-place vote and 49 total points. Catawba put three representatives on the preseason All-Conference team, with all three on the first team. Forward Zay-Zay Gilewala was the Indians’ leading scorer last year. He is joined by midfielder Nathan Zuzga and defender Kenny Crowe.

Tusculum College received the other first-place vote and 44 total points to finish fourth in the poll. Forward Paul Hopkins, who was second in the conference in goals scored and total scoring last season, is one of three Pioneers on the preseason All-SAC team. Midfielder Gerald Watt also joins Hopkins on the first team.

Wingate University is picked to finish fifth, receiving 38 points. The Bulldogs placed five representatives on the preseason All-Conference squad, with three first-team selections. Leading the way for the Bulldogs is forward Robert Dawson, last year’s SAC Player of the Year after leading the SAC and all of NCAA Division II in goals per game and points per game. Defenders Thomas Szvetitz and Sam Petoskey join Dawson on the first team.

The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears are sixth in the poll. Forward Chris Penley was a second team preseason All-SAC selection.

In the seventh spot is Mars Hill. The Lions placed two representatives on the second team – midfielder Shawn Gaston and defender William Dolbeer.

Newberry, under first-year coach Sam Okpodu, is eighth in the poll after advancing to the semifinals of last year’s conference tournament. The Indians return midfielder Brandon Cockrell, a first-team selection, and leading scorer Chad Domis, who was selected to the second team.

The 2004 season opens Thursday, August 26 with two schools in action. The Food Lion SAC Men’s Soccer Tournament will culminate with the semifinals and finals at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., November 6-7.

2004 SAC PRESEASON MEN'S SOCCER COACHES POLL

2004 SAC PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
F - Robert Dawson, Wingate F - Zay-Zay Gilewala, Catawba F - Paul Hopkins, Tusculum F - Trent Weber, Presbyterian MF - Gerald Watt, Tusculum MF - Brad Cobbs, Carson-Newman MF - Brandon Cockrell, Newberry MF - Nathan Zuzga, Catawba D - Kenny Crowe, Catawba D - Kyle Frohock, Carson-Newman D - Thomas Szvetitz, Wingate D - Sam Petoskey, Wingate GK - Kevin Czar, Presbyterian
SECOND TEAM
F - Chad Domis, Newberry F - Marius Arnsen, Carson-Newman F - Chris Penley, Lenoir-Rhyne F - Benj Bostic, Wingate MF - Shawn Gaston, Mars Hill MF - Brad Collins, Carson-Newman MF - John Constable, Tusculum MF - Jeff Haigler, Presbyterian D - Miles Childers, Newberry D - Michael Krauth, Presbyterian D - William Dolbeer, Mars Hill D - Jason McMillian, Carson-Newman GK - Tyler Baldock, Carson-Newman