Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Soccer Listed No. 26 in College Soccer News Preseason Poll
8/5/2010 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 5, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell men's soccer team, coming off a Patriot League championship and a school-record 17-win season, has been picked No. 26 in the College Soccer News preseason top-30 poll. The Bison, who open their 2010 season at home on Sept. 1 against Villanova, return eight starters and 20 lettermen from a team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
According to the College Soccer News, “The Bison can hang with the big boys. Forward Brendan Burgdorf (9g, 2a) is among those who will fill the void in scoring that exists due to the loss of All-American Conor O'Brien (11g, 9a). Eight starters are back including midfielder Ross Liberati, defender Andrew Powell and keeper Tommy Caso from the 2009 team that was 17-6-0.”
Bucknell was picked one spot ahead of Princeton, the side it defeated 1-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Defending national champion Virginia, which ended Bucknell's season in round two, was picked No. 4. Akron is No. 1 in the College Soccer News preseason poll, followed by North Carolina and Maryland.
While the Bison will have to replace an All-American and Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year in O'Brien, as well as starting center back Patrick Selwood and starting center midfielder Sean King, coach Brendan Nash's team does have plenty of experience returning in 2010.
Burgdorf was the Patriot League's top freshman scorer last season, while Luke Joyner and CK Kumah were also double-digit point producers. Liberati and Powell were both All-Patriot League selections in the defensive half, while Caso is coming off a terrific sophomore season in goal, in which 10 of his school-record 15 wins were shutouts.
The Bison have eight home games on tap this fall, starting with the 7 p.m. opener against Villanova at Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium. Later in September Bucknell will play Big Ten foes Penn State and Ohio State in State College. The Buckeyes are ranked No. 10 in the College Soccer News preseason poll, while Penn State is No. 16.
