Elon Picked Fifth in CAA 2015 Preseason Men’s Soccer Poll

Elon Picked Fifth in CAA 2015 Preseason Men’s Soccer Poll

RICHMOND, Va. – The Colonial Athletic Association announced its 2015 preseason men’s soccer poll and all-league teams today, Aug. 13 as the Elon University men’s soccer program was tabbed to finish tied for fifth among the league coaches.

Elon also had a league-best three players selected to the All-CAA preseason teams in seniors James Brace, Nathan Diehl and Miguel Salazar. The trio also received All-CAA honors last season.

Defending regular-season champion Delaware was picked as the league favorite with five first-place votes and 60 points overall. UNCW was second in the poll with two first-place votes and 50 points, followed by Hofstra (44) and defending tournament champion James Madison (41 points and two first-place votes). Elon and Northeastern were tied at fifth with 39 points while Drexel (21), William & Mary (21) and College of Charleston (nine) rounded out the poll.

Salazar was a first team All-CAA selection after scoring three goals, including two game-winners, in 2014. Brace led the Phoenix with six goals and garnered second team All-CAA honors as a junior while Diehl tied the team-lead in assists and helped the Phoenix backline to a CAA-best nine shutouts in 2014 and also earned second team All-CAA accolades.

Phoenix head coach Chris Little begins his second season at the helm of the Phoenix men’s soccer program and returns seven starters and 17 letterwinners from last year’s team that went 9-6-4 overall. The Phoenix also fared well in its first year in the CAA in 2014, going 4-2-2 in league play.

Elon has an exciting preseason slate of matches to help for its preparation for the 2015 season. The Phoenix travels to Charlotte for a game on Sunday, Aug. 16, before heading to Raleigh, N.C., for an exhibition against NC State on Aug. 19.

The maroon and gold opens the 2015 regular season at the John Rennie Nike Classic in Durham, N.C., on Aug. 28-30. Elon begins the tournament against DePaul on Aug. 28, before closing out the weekend versus Saint Mary’s.