KANSAS CITY, Kansas - Symbolizing the nearing
of a new season, the NSCAA and Continental Tire have released the
2012 College Preseason Rankings for all three levels of the
NCAA, the NAIA and the two levels of Junior College.
The Trinity University men's soccer team, who went 14-2-2 a year
ago and advanced to the NCAA Playoffs for the 10th consecutive
season, is tied for fourth in the preseason rankings.
The Tigers return NSCAA All-Region and All-SCAC defenders
Denny Mask and Kyle Porter from last year's squad. Mask, who
was a First Team All-SCAC selection, and Porter, who was a Second
Team All-SCAC selection, anchored a Trinity defense that
yielded just 13 goals in 18 games.
Also back for the Tigers for the upcoming season will be 2011
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year Matt
Cardone (Goalkeeper), and All-SCAC honorees Brian Hines and Aaron
Olson. Yuri Ribiero, who earned All-America honors as a first-year
player in 2010, but missed a number of games due to injury last
season, will also return for the Tigers in 2012.
Trinity is led by Head Coach Paul McGinlay, who will embark on his
22nd season with the Tigers this fall. McGinlay is among
the all-time Division III leaders in victories and winning
percentage.
In the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division III rankings, the
national champions for both the men and women each lead the
rankings. Ohio Wesleyan finished 2011 with a 23-2-0 overall, while
Messiah went unbeaten in 2011 with a 23-0-1 mark.
To view the complete rankings, click here.