College Soccer News Releases Preseason Picks

COLLEGE PRESEASON TOP 30 FROM COLLEGE SOCCER NEWS

Their choice of number one was made prior to UCLA standout midfielder Sal Zizzo signing with Bundesliga team Hannover 96.

1. UCLA
2. Duke
"The Blue Devils have as much experienced top-notch talent returning as any team in the country. Ten starters are back from the 2006 team that won the ACC title and advanced to the Elite Eight in NCAA Tourney play. The 2007 seniors, who played a key role as freshmen in Duke’s 2004 run to the Final Four, have stayed together and will have their sights set on nothing less than a national championship. This team has the skill to beat you in a number of different ways. Seniors include All-American midfielder Michael Videira (8g, 7a), forward Spencer Wadsworth (8g, 14a), midfielders Joe Germanese (4g, 6a), Tomek Charowski (2g, 4a), and Zach Pope (1g, 9a), defender Tim Jepson, and goalkeeper Justin Papadakis. Junior midfielder Pavelid Castaneda (1g, 1a) adds defensive toughness and junior forward Mike Grella (13g, 6a) is as good as they get up-top. Juniors Graham Dugoni and Darrius Barnes round out what should be a very solid Blue Devil backline. John Rennie reinforced the old adage that the rich get richer when he added a five member recruiting class that includes three NSCAA Youth All-America selections."
3. UC Santa Barbara
4. Wake Forest
"A solid core returns from the 2006 team that earned the programs first ever trip to the Final Four and had a school record eighteen victories. The Demon Deacons are an ultra-athletic bunch on the offensive side of the ball with great touch and movement off the ball but their greatest strength in 2007 may be their backline led by seniors Julian Valentin and Pat Phelan and goalkeeper Brian Edwards. Junior forward Marcus Tracy (6g, 4a) is among the most dangerous finishers in the ACC. Sophomores Zack Schilawski (6g, 4a) and Cody Arnoux (1g, 2a) will also add to the attack up-top. Juniors Michael Lahoud (3g, 6a) and Sam Cronin (4g, 4a) will anchor a midfield that will require some rebuilding due to the graduation of Steven Curfman (6g, 8a), Wells Thompson (7g, 3a) and Ryan Solle (5g, 4a). Junior Jamie Franks (0g, 4a), sophomore Austin Da Luz (1g, 3a) and freshman midfielder Corben Bone who was the NSCAA Player of the Year are among those who Deacon coach Jay Vidovich will likely count on to pick up the slack in the midfield. Wake Forest could be a great team this year, but might have a tough time reflecting it with their record since the Atlantic Coast Conference will again be extremely competitive."
5. Santa Clara
6. Virginia
7. SMU
8. Indiana
9. Maryland
10. New Mexico
11. Notre Dame
12. St. John’s
13. California
14. West Virginia
15. Harvard
16. Lehigh
17. Washington
18. Connecticut
19. Saint Louis
20. Northwestern
21. Creighton
22. Clemson
23. Towson
24. Rutgers
25. San Diego State
26. Northern Illinois
27. Old Dominion
28. UNC Greensboro
29. Rhode Island
30. Winthrop