Iowa Wesleyan men picked fifth in SLIAC

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference released the 2018 Men?s Soccer Preseason Coaches poll this afternoon. Iowa Wesleyan was selected to finish fifth in the conference after ending the 2017 season with 10 wins and third place in the standings.

Webster University was tabbed as the favorites after receiving 68 points and three first place votes in the poll. The Gorloks return 22 players and 10 starters from the team that finished 7-0-2 in SLIAC play a season ago.

Iowa Wesleyan received a total of 54 points and one first place vote from the coaches. The Tigers ended the 2017 season with an overall record of 10-7-2 and went 6-2-1 in conference play. Head coach, Tony Odorisio and 35 players, which includes six starters, will look to improve on their most successful season since joining the SLIAC. Now that IW is eligible for NCAA postseason, the team hopes to earn a berth in the conference tournament.

The Tigers will be without three All-Conference players, but have a solid group returning nonetheless. Pablo Garcia will enter his sophomore season looking to pick up where he left off last season. Garcia tied for the team lead with 16 points. Fabian Arvizu Sanchez (seven goals in first season) and Juan David Crespo will be expected to help carry the offense again this season. Gonzalo Rubio, who earned Third Team All-Conference honors last season, will be the leader on defense this year. Newcomers Hugo Bonilla and Favio Govea Silva could come in and contribute right away for the Tigers.

Iowa Wesleyan?s 2018 campaign will begin on Sept. 1, when they travel to Central College for a 5pm match in Pella, Iowa. The Tigers home opener will be on Sunday, Sept. 9 against Coe College at 1 p.m.

SLIAC PRESEASON MEN?S SOCCER POLL

1. Webster

2. Westminster

3. Fontbonne

4. Principia

5. Iowa Wesleyan

6. Spalding

7. Greenville

8. Blackburn

9. MacMurray

10. Eureka