FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Piedmont College men’s soccer team was picked to finish third in the USA South West Division Preseason Poll, voted on by the league’s coaches and released on Wednesday afternoon.
The Lions received 28 total points and one first-place vote. Covenant was picked to take the West Division, coming in with 33 total points and three first-place votes. Defending champion Maryville was tabbed second, also tallying three first-place votes and coming in with 32 total points.
Last season, the Lions finished third in the regular season standings with a 6-3-3 conference record after being picked fourth in the preseason.
This season, PC returns 11 players who made at least eight starts in 2018. Among those 11 returning starters is junior forward CAMERON EARLS, who led the league with 16 goals, and senior midfielder JOSE LINARES, who paced the USA South with 10 assists.
The Lions open regular season play on the road against Bob Jones Saturday, August 31 at 6 p.m. Last season, Piedmont began the season with a 3-1 home victory over the Bruins.
| 2019 USA South Men’s Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll West Division |
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| Rank | Institution (1st Place Votes) | Pts. |
| 1. | Covenant (3) | 33 |
| 2. | Maryville^# (3) | 32 |
| 3. | Piedmont (1) | 28 |
| 4. | Brevard* | 17 |
| t-5. | Huntingdon | 15 |
| t-5. | LaGrange | 15 |
| 7. | Berea | 7 |
| *Ineligible for USA South Tournament (Div. III Reclassifying Member) ^Defending Division Champion #Defending Tournament Champion |
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