SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Mykell Bates and Erik Hurtado (pictured left to right) were among ten student-athletes around the league named to the 2011 Preseason All-West Coast Conference Team. Despite returning all 11 of its starters from its 2010 WCC Championship squad, the Broncos were picked to finish third as a team in the league's preseason poll.

Emerging as one of the nation's most dangerous scorers, Hurtado, a junior from Beaverton, Ore., was named a 2010 All-WCC First Team player. Hurtado garnered National Player of the Week honors last November by College Soccer News (CSN) during the Broncos run to the WCC title. He was also named the WCC Player of the Week during that stretch and was a Marquette Invitational All-Tournament Team pick early last year. He has been Santa Clara's scoring leader in each of the past two seasons.

Bates - Santa Clara's team co-captain – was also named an All-WCC First Team honoree in 2010. The senior and three-year starting defender from Roseville, Calif., led the team in minutes played (1,852) as a sophomore. He was also named a Middleton Sports & Fitness Invitational All-Tournament Team player as a freshman.

"The x-factor for this team is that we are bringing everyone back," said Hurtado. "We have to stay focused and not let anything get to our heads. It is a new season. We were WCC champs last season but we are nothing yet this year. Preseason rankings don't mean too much. We have to come out and show everyone that we are going to do it again." 

For the complete release on WCCSports.com click here.

2011 West Coast Conference Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes) Points
1. Loyola Marymount (6) 36
2. San Diego 27
3. Santa Clara 26
4. Portland 21
5. Saint Mary's (1) 19
6T. Gonzaga 9
6T. San Francisco 9

2011 Preseason All-West Coast Conference Team
Name School Yr, Pos.
Mykell Bates SCU SR D
Roger Downes LMU SR D
Steven Evans POR SO MF
Doug Herrick SMC SR GK
Erik Hurtado SCU JR F
Artur Jozkowicz LMU SR F/MF
Ryan Kawulok POR SR D
James Matern GON RSO MF
Stephen Posa USD SR F
Patrick Wallen USD SR F