SEWANEE, Tenn. – Sewanee men's soccer was selected sixth in a tightly-bunched middle of the pack in the Southern Athletic Association Preseason Coaches' Poll released Wednesday by the league office.
The Tigers were picked sixth with 29 total points in the poll but only six points behind fourth-place Southwestern University and one point in back of Centre College. Trinity University earned 7-of-8 first-place votes and 56 total points for first place and Oglethorpe University picked up the other first-place vote and 48 points for second with Rhodes College right behind in third with 45 points. Berry College was seventh (23 points) followed by Millsaps College (14).
Head coach
Tony Pacella returns 20 letterwinners and five starters from last season's squad that posted a 6-7-4 overall record, 3-2-1 in SAA play. The starting lineup was a revolving door in the early-to-middle part of the campaign because of injuries, with just five players starting more than eight matches last year.
The Tigers got off to a rough start in 2024, posting a 1-4-4 mark through the end of September that included a 2-1 loss to third-ranked Washington and Lee and draws against 25
th-ranked Covenant and Belhaven. The club won four of its final six regular season matches before a victory in the quarterfinals of the SAA Tournament and then an overtime loss to Oglethorpe in the semifinals.
Sophomores
Isaac Rasheed and
Grayson White each netted four goals last year while Rasheed registered a team-best five assists. Sophomore
Noah Bjorkman and senior
Alpha Bah each collected three goals and three assists. Senior
Nathan Vanhoeve started 11 matches in goal for the Tigers, allowing 1.15 goals-against with 47 saves and two shutouts.
Sewanee hosts Montclair State on Friday at 5 p.m. and takes on Johns Hopkins on Saturday at 5 p.m. as well, with both matches at Puett Field. The Tigers play their first seven matches of the season at home.
2025 SAA Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Trinity University – 56 (7)
2. Oglethorpe University – 48 (1)
3. Rhodes College – 45
4. Southwestern University – 35
5. Centre College – 30
6. Sewanee – 29
7. Berry College – 23
8. Millsaps College – 14
