Lynn Picked to Repeat as SSC Men's Soccer Champions
 Photo by JC Ridley |
Lynn has been selected as the preseason favorite to repeat as Sunshine State Conference men’s soccer champions in 2012.
The Fighting Knights collected 192 points in a preseason poll conducted among SSC head coaches and sports information directors. Lynn received 16 first-place votes, the highest total possible since each school’s voters do not rank their own squad.
Barry, which tied for fourth in the 2011 league standings, was selected to place second. The Buccaneers gathered 158 points to narrowly edge Rollins, which was slated to finish third with 157 points. The Tars, who ranked third in last fall’s standings, also received the two remaining first-place votes.
Florida Tech was tabbed to finish fourth with 120 points. Tampa appeared in the fifth spot with 100 points. Saint Leo was predicted to finish sixth, collecting 94 points.
Eckerd (73), Nova Southeastern (41), and Florida Southern (37) rounded out the preseason poll.
Lynn returns nine starters from the 2011 squad that posted a 14-5-3 overall record and played in the NCAA Division II national championship match. The Fighting Knights tallied a 6-2 record in SSC matches.
Among the Lynn returning players is a trio of All-SSC honorees from a year ago.
Midfielder Heiko Eberhardt was an all-confererence first-team selection after notching seven goals.
Goalkeeper Matt DiCerbo was an All-SSC second-teamer, posting a league-best 0.62 goals against average. He recorded 13 wins, including 10 shutouts.
Jason Sangha was selected SSC Freshman of the Year in his debut season. Starting all 22 of LU’s contests, Sangha anchored a Lynn defense that led the conference with a 0.58 goals against average and 0.59 goals allowed per match.
The Fighting Knights were tabbed No. 2 in the DII preseason poll released earlier this month by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
2012 SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE PRESEASON MEN’S SOCCER POLL
Rank – Team, Points (1st Place Votes)
1 – Lynn, 192 (16)
2 – Barry, 158
3 – Rollins, 157 (2)
4 – Florida Tech, 120
5 – Tampa, 100
6 – Saint Leo, 94
7 – Eckerd, 73
8 – Nova Southeastern, 41
9 – Florida Southern, 37
