The Army West Point men's soccer team picked up a trio of preseason Patriot League awards and was selected to finish fifth in the preseason poll, as announced by the league office on Tuesday. For the second consecutive year, Army found itself in the fifth spot in the preseason poll with 89 points. Loyola, the defending regular season champion, was chosen as the league favorite and received 162 points with 18 first-place votes. Boston University was picked to finish second right behind the Greyhounds with 129 points while earning the remaining two first-place votes. Colgate and Lehigh each collected 124 points and tied for third. The Black Knights were followed by Bucknell (88) Holy Cross (71), American (55), Navy (30) and Lafayette (28).
Two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, Zac McGraw, defended his title as the preseason defensive player of the year for the second-straight year. He has served as a key cog on the back line for the Cadets in his first two seasons. He led an Army defense that finished atop the league in fewest goals allowed (14), while limiting the opponents to the fewest amount of shots (132). The Torrance, Calif., native also helped the Black Knights post a league-best eight shutouts a season ago.
Keenan O'Shea, who locked up All-Patriot League Third Team honors after a solid sophomore campaign, is receiving preseason all-league recognition for the first time in his career. He netted five goals as one of the team's top scoring threats. The Chesterfield, Va., native also handed out four helpers and compiled 14 points on the year. Read More
