WJU Fourth, Charleston Owns Top Spot
In 2010 WVIAC Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll

Princeton, WV, August 15, 2010---Defending WVIAC champion Charleston is the overwhelming favorite to be atop the league's men's soccer standings in 2010.  The Golden Eagles, who were unbeaten versus conference foes last season, recorded a magical run to the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals in 2009.  Chad Duernberger's squad received eight of ten first place votes to easily pace the annual coaches' poll.

Davis & Elkins and West Virginia Wesleyan grabbed one first place vote each and were second and third in the poll.  Wheeling Jesuit is fourth, Seton Hill stands fifth, and Alderson-Broaddus holds the sixth spot.  Pitt Johnstown is seventh, while Shepherd, Concord, and Ohio Valley round out the poll.

Charleston (19-4, 10-0 WVIAC) returns eight starters, including five first team All-WVIAC selections and the Golden Eagles open the season as the seventh-ranked side nationally in Division II.  Midfielder Rob Vincent (9g, 1a) grabbed WVIAC Freshman of the Year honors and was named a second team All-American.  Junior forward Dion Peters tallied a league-high 41 points (18g, 5a) on his way to third team All-American status and WVIAC Player of the Year accolades.  Sophomore Sean Teepen recorded a miniscule 0.76 goals against average in goal.

New Davis & Elkins (13-6-1, 9-1 WVIAC) head coach Aron Bassoff must replace seven starters. However, the Senators still have one of the league's most dangerous offensive weapons in forward Bediako Swan (12g, 8a).  Midfielder Kuda Mabiza, a second team all-conference, also returns.

West Virginia Wesleyan (10-9-2, 6-4 WVIAC) has only five returning starters on hand, but Gavin Donaldson's Bobcats should be strong in the midfield with Kurt Donaldson (3g, 2a), Michael Scruggs (6g, 3a), and Sam Turner.  Diego Michelato (4g, 1a) will look to provide punch to a WVWC attack that graduated its top two scorers.

Wheeling Jesuit (11-5-4, 6-2-2 WVIAC) head coach Jim Regan will look to blend youth and experience in 2010.  The Cardinals lost three of their starting back four to graduation, but return leading scorer Victor Picchio (7g, 2a).

Seton Hill (10-7-4, 6-3-1 WVIAC) boasted a stingy defense that only allowed 17 goals last season.  NCAA Tournament squad Slippery Rock was the only side to score more than two goals in a contest versus the Griffins in 2009 and keeper Jon DeLuca had a sterling 0.82 goals against average.  Dan McCarty's squad also returns defenders Jon Gibson and Paul Cornelius.

Alderson-Broaddus (5-12, 3-7 WVIAC) won the 2008 WVIAC Tournament title, but struggled to an unexpected eighth place finish last year.  Battler head coach Dan Kelly hopes defender Kevin Lake and midfielder Chris Doran, a pair of 2009 second team All-WVIAC picks, lead a resurgence in Philippi.

Pitt Johnstown (6-12-1, 4-5-1 WVIAC) has qualified for the WVIAC Tournament in both seasons since the league reduced the post-season field to six squads.  Head coach Eric Kinsey has 15 of 19 Mountain Cat letterwinners from last season back in the fold, including leading scorer Derik Swope (8g, 3a).

Shepherd (6-11-1, 3-6-1 WVIAC) brings back eight starters under fourth-year head coach Jonathan Thayil.  Second team All-WVIAC honorees David Medina and Jeffers Frazier look to lead the Rams to a WVIAC Tournament appearance.

Concord (6-11-1, 2-7-1 WVIAC) will be more experienced as Steve Barrett's Mountain Lions welcome back eight starters.  Senior forward Varney Vincent (4g, 2a) is the leading returning scorer for CU.

Ohio Valley (4-14, 3-7) head coach Dan Lyons saw his team drop five one-goal decisions in 2009 as they dropped to ninth in the WVIAC standings. 

The 2010 WVIAC men's soccer season gets underway on September 2 with five contests.  The six-team WVIAC Tournament will crank up with higher seeds hosting matches on November 2.  The championship match is slated for November on the pitch of the top remaining seed.

The complete 2010 WVIAC men's soccer coaches' poll follows:

1.	Charleston (8)	97
2.	Davis & Elkins (1)	83
3.	WV Wesleyan (1)	81
4.	Wheeling Jesuit	70
5.	Seton Hill	64
6.	Alderson-Broaddus	44
7.	Pitt Johnstown	43
8.	Shepherd	34
9.	Concord	19
10.	Ohio Valley	16