UConn is unanimous preseason selection

• by Soccer America , Aug 19, 2013

[AAC: Men] UConn, which has made 15 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, was selected unanimously as the preseason favorite for the new American Athletic Conference.

The Huskies are coming off a 17-4-1 finish last year and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals, falling to Creighton 1-0.
 
For the second straight year, UConn goalkeeper Andre Blake was a unanimous selection for the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and UConn forward Mamadou Doudou Diouf was selected as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Louisville, which advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament in 2012, returns senior forward Zack Foxhoven, sophomore midfielder Marlon Hairston and senior defender Daniel Keller.
 
USF, which was picked to finish third in the league after making its sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament last season, will be led defensively by senior defender Ben Sweat, chosen unanimously as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Conference USA Preseason Poll:
1. UConn (8) 64
2. Louisville (1) 55
3. USF 49
4. SMU 42
5. Rutgers 33
6. Memphis 28
7. UCF 26
8. Cincinnati 18
9. Temple 9

Conference USA Preseason Awards:
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
*Andre Blake, UConn, GK, Jr.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
*Ben Sweat, USF, B, Sr.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Mamadou Doudou Diouf, UConn, F, Sr.
 
Preseason All-Conference Team
Richardo Israel, Cincinnati, B, So.
*Andre Blake, UConn, GK, Jr.
*Mamadou Doudou Diouf, UConn, F, Sr.
Zack Foxhoven, Louisville, F, Sr.
Marlon Hairston, Louisville, MF, So.
Daniel Keller, Louisville, B, R-Jr.
Liam Collins, Memphis, MF, Sr.
*Mark Sherrod, Memphis, F, R-Sr.
Kene Eze, Rutgers, F, Sr.
Mael Corboz, Rutgers, MF, So.
*Ben Sweat, USF, B, Sr.
*Damian Rosales, SMU, B, R-Jr.
Jared Martinelli, Temple, MF, So.