WILKES-BARRE – The King's College men's soccer team was tabbed third in the 2010 Freedom Conference men's soccer preseason poll as announced by the conference office Monday. The Monarchs garnered 30 points, including one first place vote, sharing the third spot with DeSales University in the coaches' annual survey.
King's finished last season with an 11-7-1 mark finishing fourth in conference play, falling to eventual conference champion Manhattanville College in the semi-finals. Fifth-year head coach Mark Bassett welcomes back a core group of upperclassman along with the addition of some talented newcomers in 2010.
Returning All-Conference midfielder junior Joey Bender (Shirley, NY/William Floyd) will look to lead the squad in 2010. Bender enjoyed an outstanding year for the Monarchs a year ago where he finished second in the Freedom Conference in scoring with 38 points, the third highest single-season total in program history. The Shirley, NY native was second in the conference in goals scored (15) and second in assists (8) while leading the league with six game-winning goals. For his play Bender was also named to the 2009 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Mid-Atlantic All-Region Team, becoming the first King's player ever to be named to the all-regional squad.
Fellow midfielder junior Alex Martino (Wall, NJ/Wall) is also back after finishing third on the team in scoring with 11 points. Senior Dan Horn (Kingston, PA/Bishop Hoban) adds even more depth to the midfield posting eight points on four goals, including two game-winning tallies, last season. Sophomore Andrew O'Shura (Millerstown, PA/Greenwood) will anchor the Monarchs defense in net following an outstanding rookie campaign. O'Shura finished 8-5 on the year with 64 saves and a 0.89 goals against average while recording five shutouts.
Defending conference champion Manhattanville College (13-5-1) secured the top spot in the poll with 46 points including five first place votes. The Valiants were followed by Misericordia University (12-5-3) with 41 points and two first place votes. Wilkes University (8-9-1) was tabbed fifth with 29 points, while Eastern University (28 pts), FDU-Florham (13 pts), and Delaware Valley College (7 pts) rounded out the poll.
King's will open their 2010 campaign on the road when they travel to SUNY New Paltz on September 1. The Monarchs will make their home debut when they host the Monarch/Royal Classic on September 4 and 5 at Betzler Fields. Homecoming is set for October 5 against Delaware Valley College.
2010 Freedom Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Manhattanville 46 pts. (5)
2. Misericordia 41 pts. (2)
3t. King's 30 pts. (1)
3t. DeSales 30 pts.
5. Wilkes 29 pts.
6. Eastern 28 pts.
7. FDU-Florham 13 pts.
8. Delaware Valley 7 pts.
(#) denotes fist place votes
