Monday, August 7, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. – Coming off a stellar 2016 season, Simon Fraser finds itself ranked 13th in the 2017 United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) Division II National Preseason Poll.

Both Simon Fraser and UC San Diego (4th) are the only two West Region teams included in national preseason top-25 ranking. The Clan moved up one spot to open the season after finishing at No.14 in 2016.

During the 2016 campaign, the Clan captured their first GNAC championship since 2013 with an impressive 9-1-2 conference record. Receiving a first-round bye as the No.3 seed in the 2016 Division II Men’s Soccer Championship, Simon Fraser fell via penalty kicks to Cal Poly Pomona in a game where the Clan outshot the Broncos 12-4.

Impressively opening the first half of last season unbeaten, the Clan’s only conference blemish came in early November against Western Washington. The Vikings were the only team to shut out Simon Fraser during the regular season.

Simon Fraser head coach Clint Schneider returns six starters, highlighted by reigning GNAC Player of the Year midfielder Adam Jones and Magnus Kristensen, the 2016 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year. The Clan also return midfielder Mamadi Camara who was second on the team with nine goals and reigning GNAC Freshman of the Year forward Riley Pang.

Rounding out the squad are midfielder Kyle Jones and defender Pascal Schmidt, who both achieved Second Team All-GNAC honors.

Simon Fraser opens up its regular season at home against the University of Mary on August, 31.