Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Matt Thorsheim Named Preseason All-Patriot League
8/14/2018 1:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Sophomore forward/midfielder Matt Thorsheim secured one of the 12 spots on the Preseason All-Patriot League Men's Soccer Team on Tuesday. Thorsheim was a Third Team All-Patriot League, a United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Northeast Region, and a College Soccer News Third Team Freshman All-America selection a year ago.Â
Thorsheim made quite an impact for the Bison in his rookie year. He led the team in scoring with 14 points on five goals and four assists, despite missing the final three games of the year with an injury. He ranked eighth in the conference in goals and 10th in both assists and points. Thorsheim was a two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week and also made the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.Â
The Patriot League also announced its preseason poll on Tuesday, and the Bison were picked sixth with 88 points, one behind fourth-place Army West Point. Loyola was tabbed as the preseason favorite, picking up the maximum 18 first-place votes and 162 points. Boston University garnered the remaining two first-place nods and was picked second with 129 points, just ahead of Colgate and Lehigh with 124 each. Holy Cross (71), American (55), Navy (30) and Lafayette (28) rounded out the poll.Â
The major award-winners came from three different schools. Lehigh's Mark Forrest was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Loyola's Barry Sharifi was picked as Preseason Midfielder of the Year, and Army's Zac McGraw was selected as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.Â
Bucknell was also picked sixth in last year's preseason poll, but exceeded that prediction with a third-place finish with a 5-3-1 Patriot League record. The Bison return all but three letterman from the 2017 squad, including their top three scorers.Â
The Bison have home scrimmages against Clarks Summit on Thursday (4 p.m.) and Howard on Sunday (4 p.m.) before opening the 2018 season at Mount St. Mary's on Aug. 24.Â
Thorsheim made quite an impact for the Bison in his rookie year. He led the team in scoring with 14 points on five goals and four assists, despite missing the final three games of the year with an injury. He ranked eighth in the conference in goals and 10th in both assists and points. Thorsheim was a two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week and also made the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.Â
The Patriot League also announced its preseason poll on Tuesday, and the Bison were picked sixth with 88 points, one behind fourth-place Army West Point. Loyola was tabbed as the preseason favorite, picking up the maximum 18 first-place votes and 162 points. Boston University garnered the remaining two first-place nods and was picked second with 129 points, just ahead of Colgate and Lehigh with 124 each. Holy Cross (71), American (55), Navy (30) and Lafayette (28) rounded out the poll.Â
The major award-winners came from three different schools. Lehigh's Mark Forrest was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Loyola's Barry Sharifi was picked as Preseason Midfielder of the Year, and Army's Zac McGraw was selected as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.Â
Bucknell was also picked sixth in last year's preseason poll, but exceeded that prediction with a third-place finish with a 5-3-1 Patriot League record. The Bison return all but three letterman from the 2017 squad, including their top three scorers.Â
The Bison have home scrimmages against Clarks Summit on Thursday (4 p.m.) and Howard on Sunday (4 p.m.) before opening the 2018 season at Mount St. Mary's on Aug. 24.Â
Players Mentioned
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