N.C. Wesleyan Picked to Win USA South Men's Soccer Title

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - N.C. Wesleyan College, under the direction of eighth-year Head Coach Jason Kilby, was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to win the USA South Athletic Conference men's soccer title in 2009. Last fall, the Bishops captured the program's second USA South Tournament Championship. Additionally, NCWC will attempt to earn the Conference's regular season crown for the fourth time in six seasons.

N.C. Wesleyan received four of seven first place votes (34 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

The defending USA South Regular Season Champions, Christopher Newport University, finished a close second in the balloting with 32 points and the remaining three first place votes. Winners of three of the last four Conference Tournament titles, Greensboro College, placed third in the poll with 26 points while Methodist University followed in fourth with 21 points. Shenandoah University, Ferrum College and Averett University rounded out the poll with 17, ten and seven points, respectfully.

The men's soccer regular season gets underway on Tuesday, September 1 as six of the Conference's seven teams are in action.

The USA South Athletic Conference announced earlier this summer that the Southern Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority will host its 2009 Men's and Women's Soccer Tournament semifinals and finals. The contests will be held at the Smith River Sports Complex in Martinsville, Virginia on November 6 and 7. This will be the first of a two-year commitment as the 2010 semifinals and finals will also be held in Martinsville. The first round games of the tournaments will continue to be held on the campuses of the higher seeded team.