Maryland claims top spot in Big Ten men’s soccer preseason poll
ROSEMONT, Ill. (Via University of Maryland) – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2015 men’s soccer preseason coaches poll and players to watch list on Wednesday, with Maryland claiming the top spot among the nine conference teams.
The Terrapins concluded the 2014 campaign with a 13-6-3 record (5-2-1 conference record), and claimed the Big Ten Championship and Tournament titles in their inaugural Big Ten season, while also advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament. Maryland has advanced to the NCAA Tournament 32 times, including 20 of the past 21 seasons.
Indiana checked in at No. 2 in the preseason poll, followed by Penn State at No. 3, Michigan State at No. 4 and Ohio State at No. 5.
In addition, seniors Mael Corboz and Tsubasa Endoh and junior Chris Odoi-Atsem were tabbed to the Big Ten Players to Watch list.
Corboz, a senior midfielder, was named the Big Ten Tournament Most Valuable Offensive Player after guiding the Terps to their first-ever Big Ten tournament crown. Corboz was also a First Team All-Big Ten pick after leading the league in goals scored (10).
Endoh, despite an injury-shortened season, started in all 16 games he appeared in after being named a Big Ten Conference Player to Watch in 2014. The midfielder tallied one goal against then-No. 3 Penn State and Hartwick and added a pair of assists.
Odoi-Atsem was a First Team All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore last season after starting in 21 games and helping the defense secure nine shutouts.
Maryland will take on Notre Dame and St. John’s as part of the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic in Bloomington, Ind., on August 28 and August 30, respectively.
The complete preseason coaches poll and players to watch list can be found below.
BIG TEN MEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
- Maryland
- Indiana
- Penn State
- Michigan State
- Ohio State
- Northwestern
- Michigan
- Rutgers
- Wisconsin
BIG TEN MEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH
Femi Hollinger-Janzen, Indiana, Sr., Forward
Grant Lillard, Indiana, So., Defense
Tanner Thompson, Indiana, Jr., Midfield
Mael Corboz, Maryland, Sr., Midfield
Tsubasa Endoh, Maryland, Sr., Midfield
Chris Odoi-Atsem, Maryland, Jr., Defense
Evan Louro, Michigan, So., Goalkeeper
Colin McAtee, Michigan, Sr., Midfield
William Mellors-Blair, Michigan, Sr., Forward
Zach Bennett, Michigan State, Sr., Goalkeeper
Zach Carroll, Michigan State, Sr., Defense
Jason Stacy, Michigan State, Sr., Forward
Joey Calistri, Northwestern, Sr., Forward
Layth Masri, Northwestern, Sr., Defense/Midfield
Cole Missimo, Northwestern, Sr., Midfield
Kyle Culbertson, Ohio State, Sr., Midfield
Liam Doyle, Ohio State, Sr., Defense
Danny Jensen, Ohio State, Jr., Forward
Matt Bersano, Penn State, Sr., Goalkeeper
Brian James, Penn State, Sr., Midfield
Connor Maloney, Penn State, Jr., Forward
Mitchell Lurie, Rutgers, Sr., Defense
Mitchell Taintor, Rutgers, Sr., Midfield
Jason Wright, Rutgers, So., Forward
Tom Barlow, Wisconsin, So., Forward
Sam Brotherton, Wisconsin, Fr., Defense
Drew Conner, Wisconsin, Sr., Midfield
