The Santa Clara was selected as the preseason favorite to capture its second straight West Coast Conference title, edging out San Francisco for the first-place spot in the 2007 WCC preseason
coaches poll.
Santa Clara, which captured its ninth WCC title and advanced to the NCAA Division I quarterfinals last season, brings back eight starters and 19 letterwinners. The Broncos
are loaded in midfield with sophomore
Stephen McCarthy, the 2006 WCC Co-Freshman of the Year, and senior
Peter Lowry,
who earned second team All-WCC honors after tying for the team lead with six goals a year ago. Also back is junior goalkeeper
Joseph Buttitta, the
conference leader with nine shutouts in 2006.
San Francisco, picked to finish second, earned a spot in the 2006 NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. The Dons return seven
starters including senior defender
Rob Valentino, who was tabbed for WCC Player of the Year honors after anchoring a USF defense that surrendered a
conference-low 18 goals last season.
San Diego, picked third, returns midfielder
Dustin Guerrero, who tallied four goals and three assists last
year, and All-WCC honorable mention defenders
Tim Grey and
Sam Reeder.
Loyola Marymount and Portland tied
for fourth place in the preseason poll. First-team All-WCC midfielder
Nick Blanco returns for his senior season at LMU. The Pilots will field one of the most
experienced units, led by a pair of All-WCC forwards in junior
Alex Elliott and senior
Christopher Sanders.
Gonzaga checked in at No. 6 after finishing third in the WCC standings last year, the highest finish for a GU squad since 2001. The Zags will be led by senior forward
George Josten, who led the conference in goals for the second straight season with 12 scoring strikes in 2006.
Saint Mary's, which rounds out the poll at No. 7, welcomes
back
Dylan Leslie, who tied for the team lead with four goals last season.
WCC POLL: 1. Santa
Clara 35 points (5 first-place votes)
2. San Francisco 28 (2)
3. San Diego 20
4. Loyola Marymount 19
4. Portland 19
6. Gonzaga 18
7. Saint Mary's 8