Aug. 24, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -
The Santa Clara University men's soccer team was ranked fifth nationally in the NSCAA/adidas Preseason Poll today. The Broncos had previously been ranked 16th by College Soccer News and picked by the West Coast Conference coaches to repeat as conference champions.
The Broncos finished last season ranked fourth in the NSCAA/adidas poll. That final season ranking marked the eighth time since 1988 that Santa Clara ended the season in the top ten.
SCU's ranking was the highest among the west region teams as UCLA was the only other team in the top ten at seventh. Defending national champion Indiana sits atop the poll while St. John's, Maryland and Saint Louis University round out the top four.
All-WCC players Will Weatherly, Erik Ustruck and Kelechi Igwe will look to take the 2004 team back to the College Cup as the Broncos return seven of their eight top scorers from last season. Weatherly, an All-College Cup selection, was the team's leading scorer a year ago with seven goals. He also tallied a team-high 14 points. Ustruck spent time this summer with the U-20 National Team in Haiti, making four starts in a week long camp. Igwe ranked second on the 2003 squad with 13 points and six goals.
Santa Clara kicks off its season on Thursday, September 2 at the USF/diadora Classic host by the University of San Francisco. The Broncos will take on Massachusetts in the season opener at 5:00 p.m. before playing UC Davis on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
The Broncos open their home schedule Sept. 16 in the annual adidas Classic. San Francisco plays Davidson in the first match at 5 p.m., while Santa Clara hosts neighboring San Jose State in the annual Rivalry Series match at 7:30. The event is also Santa Clara Community Day, presented by the Bank of Santa Clara with all residents of Santa Clara receiving discount admission to both games. Call 408/554-4660 for tickets. For more information on Santa Clara Community Day
For more information on Santa Clara Community Day, click below.
http://santaclarabroncos.collegesports.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/072904aaa.html
For the complete NSCAA/adidas Preseason Poll, click below.
http://www.nscaa.com/docs/rankings/SeniorCollegeRankings/20040824_ncaa_m_di.html
