Tigers Picked Fifth in ACC Preseason Poll

Aug. 6, 2003

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Maryland, the 2002 ACC Champions, has been selected as the favorite for the upcoming 2003 ACC Men’s Soccer season, as determined by a vote of the league’s seven head coaches.

The Terrapins finished the 2002 campaign with a 20-5 overall record, including a 4-2 league mark and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Men’s Soccer College Cup. Heading into 2003, Maryland collected 48 points in the pre-season balloting, edging out defending ACC regular-season champion Wake Forest, who finished second in the poll with 40 points.

The Demon Deacons finished the regular-season with a 4-0-2 league record and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Championship.

Finishing third in the poll was Virginia with 30 points. The Cavaliers advanced to the finals of the 2002 ACC Championship and made their 22nd consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championship.

Completing the pre-season poll in order of finish is North Carolina (28), Clemson (26), Duke (17) and NC State (7).

Considered by many to be one of the top soccer conferences in the nation, ACC schools have won 10 national championships in men’s soccer over the last 19 years. Below is a listing of the preseason coaches’ poll with 2002 records and regular season finishes.

2003 PRE-SEASON ACC MEN’S SOCCER POLL

School               Points          2002 Record/Finish1. Maryland            48            20-5, 4-2 ACC/2nd2. Wake Forest         40            15-2-4, 4-0-2 ACC/1st3. Virginia            30            15-7, 3-3 ACC/4th4. North Carolina      28            14-7-1, 3-2-1 ACC/3rd5. Clemson             26            14-5-3, 2-3-1 ACC/6th6. Duke                17            11-8-1, 3-3 ACC/5th7. NC State            7             5-14, 0-6 ACC/7th