Men’s Soccer Tabbed Ninth In MVC Preseason Poll 8/20/02

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vanderbilt’s men’s soccer team was picked to finish ninth out of 10 teams in the 2002 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Commodores earned 28 points, while Southern Methodist University was almost a unanimous selection to win the conference title, picking up eight of 10 first-place votes and 98 points.

The Commodores, who are led by first-year head coach Tim McClements, return 19 players from their 2001 squad that went 6-10-1 and 3-6 in the MVC. Vanderbilt concluded the 2001 season by nearly upsetting SMU, who entered the game ranked No. 1 in the country, in the first round of the MVC Tournament. The Commodores fell to the Mustangs, 2-1, in double-overtime.

McClements’ team will play five home conference games at the new Vanderbilt Soccer Complex and four games on the road. The Commodores take on Bradley, Eastern Illinois, Southwest Missouri, Evansville and Western Kentucky in Nashville, while taking on Drake, Creighton, Tulsa and SMU away from the friendly confines of home.

Senior Chris Yingling (Lancaster, Pa.) was the only Vanderbilt player to earn preseason honors, as he was named Honorable Mention All-MVC. The defender was only one of three players to start and play in all 17 contest last year for the Commodores. Since arriving at Vanderbilt in 1999, Yingling has played in 53 games while tallying six goals and three assists.

Vanderbilt will be on the road for its season opener at 7 p.m. Friday, August 30, against cross-town rival Belmont. The Commodores are 5-0 all-time against the Bruins.

Preseason Coaches Poll (First-Place Votes)
Team Points
1. Southern Methodist (8) 98
2. Creighton (1) 78
3. Southwest Missouri 72
4. Bradley 70
5. Tulsa (1) 63
6. Evansville 52
7. Drake 35
8. Western Kentucky 38
9. Vanderbilt 28
10. Eastern Illinois 24

Preseason All-Conference Team
Name Team
Hamid Mehreioskouei Bradley
Kyle Brown Tulsa
Jamal Sutton SMS
Mike Tranchilla Creighton
Diego Walsh SMU
David Wagenfuhr Creighton
Tim Regan Bradley
Jason Thompson Eastern Illinois
Dan Watson SMS
Ugo Imeuelo SMU
Matt Pickens (GK) SMS

Honorable Mention:
Luiz Del Monte (Creighton); Tom Dolan (SMU); Brian Duax (Drake); Jean-Yves Fankam (Evansville), Casey Stevens (Evansville); Chris Yingling (Vanderbilt); Daryl Sattler (Western Kentucky)