Aug. 3, 2009

Santa Clara has been tabbed as the runner-up in the 2009 West Coast Conference men's soccer preseason poll, as voted on by the head coaches in the conference. In addition Bronco center defender Jalil Anibaba has been named to the pre-season all-conference list.

"The preseason coaches poll shows there is a lot of respect for the quality of players we have in our program and the tradition of success we've had in conference play," said seventh-year head coach Cameron Rast. "Our preseason schedule should have us well-prepared to make a run for the conference crown later this season."

Santa Clara opens its season at home in Buck Shaw Stadium vs. UC Irvine on Tues., Sept. 1 at 7 pm. The Broncos will celebrate their 20th anniversary of winning the NCAA title in 1989.

The Broncos, who return seven starters and 18 letterwinners, are in the hunt for their 19th NCAA Tournament appearance. They have won 10 WCC titles along the way, including the 2003, 06 and 07 conference titles when Rast was named WCC Coach of the Year as well.

Anibaba, a 6-0, 170lb. junior from Davis, Calif., started 18 games last season after being named the WCC Freshman of the Year in 2007. He was named to the WCC Second Team in 2008, tallying six points on two goals and two assists.

"There's no question Jalil is one of the top players in the WCC," said Rast. "We hope in his junior year he will help lead our young group. This will be a defining year for Jalil as he continues to grow and play at an even higher level."

The University of San Francisco garnered the maximum six first place votes to earn the top spot in the 2009 preseason poll.

2009 WCC Preseason Coaches Poll

1. San Francisco - 36 (6)

2. Santa Clara - 24

3. Loyola Marymount - 23 (1)

Gonzaga - 23

5. San Diego - 19

6. Portland - 16

7. Saint Mary's - 6

(First place votes)

2009 WCC Men's Soccer Preseason All-Conference

Jalil Anibaba, SCU

Rafael Baca, LMU

Nick Barclay, GON

Bryan Burke, USF

Conor Chinn, USF

Roger Downes, LMU

Austin Guerrero, POR

Frankie Lopez, POR

Tye Perdido, GON

Ryan Peterman, USD

Yousef Samy, SMC

Collen Warner, POR