Tuesday, August 20, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. – It is no surprise that Simon Fraser starts the 2013 soccer season precisely where it has finished in each of its first three seasons in the GNAC: at the top. 

The 2012 national semifinalist enters this season ranked No. 3 in the nation according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason coaches’ poll, and the Clan is locked and loaded for a run at not only their fourth straight GNAC title but at a national championship as well.

Three-time GNAC Coach of the Year Alan Koch has guided the Clan to an incredible 56-4-2 overall record dating back to 2010, with an equally impressive conference mark at 32-2-2.

With reigning GNAC scoring leader Carlo Basso at the crux of the perennial powerhouse, the coaches have reached a consensus that SFU is the top dog in the GNAC, indicated by its reception of seven first place votes. 

The final first place nomination was given to Northwest Nazarene, which falls to third in the GNAC preseason coaches poll despite finishing in second place in 2012.

Sixth year coach Coe Michaelson has five of his starters back, including second-team all-GNAC pick and NNU scoring leader Jaime Torres.

Edging the Crusaders by a single point (51-50) in this year’s poll is Seattle Pacific, which finished in third place in conference play a season ago.

The Falcons, piloted by Mark Collings (sixth season), return a dozen lettermen and a trio of GNAC all-stars.

Senior forward Blaine Carver will be in pursuit of a double-digit goal figure this season, after notching eight in 2012 and earning a third-team all-America nod from the NSCAA. 

Rookie coach Alex Balog brings fresh energy to the Montana State Billings program, which finished fourth in last season’s conference standings.

Despite losing first-team all-GNAC midfielder Thomas Chameraud and being selected to finish fifth in the preseason poll, Balog’s recruiting class is chalk full of talent and could turn some heads this fall.

Receiving 37 total points and placing fourth in the preseason poll is Western Washington, which is also sporting a rookie head coach.

Greg Brisbon takes over a program that is four years removed from the top of the conference and has serious potential to be a factor in 2013.

Andrew Weishaar will be called upon to set the pace offensively, as his seven goals last year led the Vikings and earned him second-team all-GNAC honors.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth ranked teams were separated by a spread of just seven points, indicating that WWU, MSU Billings and sixth-ranked University of Mary could shuffle places freely throughout the season.

The Marauders did not go unnoticed in their first season of affiliation in the GNAC, finishing 4-8-1 and in sixth place. Star forward Rory Pratt’s eight goals tied him for third in the league, and his presence in the lineup this season will give Mary a shot at climbing up the standings.

The seventh spot in the poll is occupied by Saint Martin’s. The Saints won just three contests last year, but six of their starters and nine total letter winners return for a fresh start in 2013.

The newest addition to the GNAC, South Dakota School of Mines, rounds out the preseason poll with 10 total points.

Head coach Joe Burger brings his young group into the conference after a rocky 2012 season, the first in program history.