Kansas City, Kan. - The Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer team has been ranked #2 in the nation in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II Preseason Rankings. The 2013 preseason rankings were initially announced on the inaugural College Highlights and Rankings Show on NSCAATV.com on Tuesday, August 13th.
The Cardinals posted an 18-3-4 overall record in the 2012 campaign. That record included the program's second-straight Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championship and first-ever GLIAC Tournament title. The program also capped its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance with a National Runner-Up finish, losing to Lynn University 3-2 in the National Championship Game.
Two Cardinals garnered All-American honors and four claimed All-Region accolades, with senior Zach Myers being named the NSCAA Division II "Player of the Year". Head Coach Cale Wassermann earned similar honors, being named the 2012 NSCAA DII National "Coach of the Year", NSCAA Midwest Region "Coach of the Year" and GLIAC "Coach of the Year" for the second-consecutive campaign.
"It is always great to get recognition, but this team knows that rankings are not important right now," stated Coach Wassermann. "The only thing that matters right now is coming into preseason camp in-shape and ready to work. We lost some big-time players from last year, but we have a great group of returners and some new additions who know that the only ranking that matters is the one they will release in December. We have a very tough schedule this year, but our team is excited to get back to work and start improving."
SVSU opens its 2013 season Thursday, September 5th at Lewis University in an 8:30 pm contest. The Cardinals open GLIAC play on Friday, September 13th, when they travel to Lake Erie College for a 4:00 pm tilt.
The NSCAA/ Continental Tire college rankings are a week-to-week status of qualified programs. More information about NSCAA college rankings can be found at NSCAATV.com/rankings/college.
Click here for full NSCAA/Continental Tire 2013 Division II Preseason Rankings
