Aug. 3, 2009

SAN BRUNO, CA - The University of San Diego men's soccer team was selected to finish fifth overall in the 2009 WCC Preseason Poll, as voted on by the head coaches in the conference. The University of San Francisco garnered the maximum six first place votes to earn the top spot. The Dons are followed by Bay Area rival Santa Clara University, which narrowly edged out Loyola Marymount University and Gonzaga University, which tied for third place in the poll. Rounding out this year's preseason poll is the University of Portland in sixth and Saint Mary's College picked seventh.

San Francisco welcomes back eight starters from the 2008 squad, headlined by WCC Player of the Year Conor Chinn, who ranked No. 8 among national Division I leaders in goals per game (0.81) last season. Chinn, who was also selected to the preseason all-conference team, led the WCC with 17 goals, eight of which were game-winners. Chinn is joined on the preseason all-conference team by team¬mate Bryan Burke, who earned All-WCC second team honors last season. USF Head Coach Erik Visser was named the 2008 WCC Coach of the Year, marking the third time in the last five seasons that he has earned the conference's top coaching award.

The Santa Clara Broncos, who return seven starters and 18 letterwinners overall, look to rebound from a disappointing 2008 season. Headlining the list of returners is junior midfielder Jalil Anibaba, who was selected to the preseason all-conference team.

Loyola Marymount and Gonzaga, which tied for third in the preseason poll, each landed two players on the preseason all-conference team. The Lions welcome back first team All-WCC performer Rafael Baca and second team All-WCC selection Roger Downes, while the Bulldogs will be led by a pair of 2008 All-WCC first team members in defender Nick Barclay and midfielder Tye Perdido.

San Diego, selected fifth, also welcomes back a pair of All-WCC first team members in defender Ryan Peterman, who was named to the preseason all-conference team, and goalkeeper Kelin Briones, while Portland will look to 2008 All-WCC first team midfielder Collen Warner and goalie Austin Guerrero, an honorable mention selection, to provide scoring and defense. Rounding out this year's poll is Saint Mary's, which will look to senior All-WCC first team member Yousef Samy for leadership.

McFadden, his coaching staff, and the players are preparing for the start of camp. The Toreros will face off against Cal State Northridge in their season opener on Friday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Torero Stadium.

2009 Preseason All-WCC TeamJalil Anibaba SCURafael Baca LMUNick Barclay GONBryan Burke USFConor Chinn USFRoger Downes LMUAustin Guerrero PORTye Perdido GONRyan Peterman USDYousef Samy SMCCollen Warner POR