Aug. 14, 2008

Loyola Marymount has been picked to finish fifth in the West Coast Conference, according to the 2008 preseason coaches poll, announced Thursday. LMU received 14 total points while Santa Clara, the defending champion, was selected to repeat, receiving the maximum 36 points.

The fifth-place selection is a testament to the Lions' returning players and recruiting class as LMU had finished seventh in the WCC last year. LMU returns 18 letterwinners and 83% of its goalscorers while adding 11 highly-rated new players.

Voting was conducted by the seven WCC coaches, who were not allowed to vote for themselves in ranking the teams 1-6. Santa Clara received 36 total points and six first-place votes while San Diego was second with 30 points and one first-place vote. Portland (25 points) was third, followed by San Francisco (20), LMU (14), Gonzaga (12), and Saint Mary's (10).

LMU opens its 2008 campaign at home with the LMU Fall Classic August 29-31. The four-team tournament features Saint Louis vs. San Diego at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 29, followed by LMU's opener against New Mexico at 4 p.m. On Sunday, San Diego takes on New Mexico at 11:30 a.m., with LMU facing Saint Louis at 2 p.m.

2008 WCC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. SCU - 36 (6)
2. USD - 30 (1)
3. POR - 25
4. USF - 20
5. LMU - 14
6. GON - 12
7. SMC - 10
(First place votes)