Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Soccer Picked First in Patriot League Preseason Poll
8/27/2004 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 27, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - After winning the Patriot League regular-season title last year, the Bucknell men's soccer team is projected to repeat that feat in 2004, according to the league\'s\ preseason\ poll of coaches and sports information directors, released Monday by the league office.
The Bison accumulated 11 of 14 possible first-place votes (coaches and SIDs may not vote for their own team) as they totaled 90 points in the voting. The next three teams in the poll were bunched together closely, led by American's 74 points and three first-place votes. Lafayette and Lehigh shared the third spot with 70 points and one first-place vote apiece. Rounding out the list were Colgate (42 points), Holy Cross (40), Navy (36) and Army (25).
Bucknell enters the 2004 campaign with a nine-match unbeaten streak in Patriot League regular-season play. Over that span, which dates to 2002, the Bison are 7-0-2, including a league-best 5-0-2 mark last year. The undefeated season was just the seventh in the history of the Patriot League.
Among the returnees expected to lead the Bison in their quest for their third consecutive double-figure win season are junior Scott Visnic and senior Michael Lookingland. Visnic was the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year last season, while Lookingland claimed Defensive Player of the Year accolades. A native of Hillsborough, N.J., Visnic led the league in goals (12) and points (27). He also tallied a league-best six game-winning goals.
Lookingland, who is serving as team co-captain for the second consecutive season, started all 20 contests as a junior and was the anchor of the defense that allowed just 22 goals. Against Patriot League foes, the defensive unit gave up just three goals during the regular season.
Head coach Brendan Nash rounded out the Bison's list of award winners last year as he claimed Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his career. Entering his sixth season at the helm of the Bison, Nash owns a 48-40-7 career record.
Bucknell opens the 2004 season Sept. 4 at Hartwick. Kickoff for the contest is slated for 7 p.m. in Oneonta, N.Y. The Bison take the field against a Patriot League opponent for the first time Sept. 26 at home against Army.
2004 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll Team (1st-Place Votes) Points 2003 PL 2003 Overall 1. Bucknell (11) 90 5-0-2 11-7-2 2. American (3) 74 2-5-0 7-9-1 3. Lafayette (1) 70 4-1-2 11-6-3 3. Lehigh (1) 70 2-1-4 9-4-7 5. Colgate 42 2-3-2 4-9-5 6. Holy Cross 40 2-1-4 2-10-5 7. Navy 36 3-4-0 5-10-1 8. Army 25 0-5-2 3-11-4
