Bucknell University Athletics
Mayowa Alli Named to Preseason All-PL Men's Soccer Team
8/20/2013 11:42:00 AM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell senior defender Mayowa Alli (Lanham, Md./Bishop McNamara) was named to the Men's Soccer Preseason All-Patriot League Team on Tuesday. Alli, who will serve as team captain in 2013, was one of seven seniors named to the 11-man preseason team.
The Patriot League also announced the men's soccer preseason rankings on Tuesday. Bucknell was listed sixth in the newly expanded 10-team conference. American was picked first by the league's coaches and sports information directors. The Eagles logged nine first-place votes and 151 points. League newcomers Boston University (130 points) and Loyola Maryland (121) were picked second and third, respectively, just ahead of defending champion Lafayette with 115 points.
Colgate is listed fifth with 98 points followed by Bucknell with 87. The Patriot League Tournament has expanded to six teams this season, with the top two seeds receiving first-round byes. Navy (67), Lehigh (51), Holy Cross (44) and Army (36) rounded out the poll.
Alli had a monster year in 2011, earning First Team All-Patriot League and Second Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors. A tough and athletic defender, he also led the team in goals (7) and points (16) that year while earning a reputation as one of the league's best finishers on set pieces.
Alli was also a Preseason All-Patriot League selection in 2012 and was having another strong year until a shoulder injury forced him to miss all or parts of the final five games of the regular season.
Bucknell finished 7-8-5 overall and 2-3-2 in a tight Patriot League race last season. The Bison qualified for the Patriot League tournament but fell 1-0 to top-seeded American in the semifinals. Bucknell has seven starters back in 2013, including a Second Team All-Patriot League selection in sophomore midfielder Chris Thorsheim.
The Bison earned a 2-0 victory over Binghamton in an exhibition match on Monday, and they will have another preseason contest against Franklin & Marshall at Emmitt Field on Thursday at 7 p.m. The 2013 season officially gets underway on Aug. 30 against Canisius at 7 p.m., also at Emmitt Field.
