SIUE Picked to Repeat as MVC Men's Soccer Champ
Defending 2015 regular season champion, SIUE, has been picked to repeat as Missouri Valley Conference men’s soccer champions, in a poll of the league's head coaches.
In addition, three players were named to the MVC Preseason All-Conference team. Midfielder Ivan Gutierrez, forward Devyn Jambga and defender Austin Ledbetter are included among the 11-member team. Three players is the most representatives from any team with Loyola also claiming three spots.
Following the program’s first MVC regular season crown in 2015, the Cougars garnered 45 points and four first-place votes in the 2016 poll. Drake, who edged SIUE in last season’s tournament title match, was picked second with 39 points and one first-place vote, followed by Loyola in third with 34 points. Missouri State (32 points) was picked fourth and earned two first-place votes. Bradley (25), Central Arkansas (12) and Evansville (9) filled out the final three spots.
Each of three preseason honorees were All-MVC selections last season. Ledbetter earned a spot on the first team, while Gutierrez and Jambga each were named to the second team.
The Cougars have played a pair of scoreless games so far in the preseason, earning the 0-0 tie with No. 9 Notre Dame Aug. 14 and playing to a scoreless draw at Kentucky Tuesday night. SIUE hosts Dayton Friday night before opening the regular season a week later (Aug. 26) at Korte Stadium against Northern Illinois.
