SUWANEE, Ga. - Following the fourth different league champion in as many years – The University of St. Thomas was picked second in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll.

"We are motivated more than ever to prove to everyone in the league what we have this season," Junior Forward Juan Gutierrez added. "The team is working hard to show that we have what it takes to win this conference!"

On the heels of capturing the program's first-ever SCAC Tournament title last season, the University of St. Thomas (12-2-4; 6-0-2) picked up the final first-place vote to finish second in the preseason poll with 70 points. The Celts welcome back five All-SCAC players led by First Team midfielder Ian Alvarez and Second Team forward and Newcomer-of-the-Year Daniel Castro. Castro led St. Thomas with 12 goals a year ago, third-best in the SCAC, while Alvarez finished with four goals, including two game-winners. Senior forward Gabe Salako returns after scoring six goals last year (tied for ninth in the SCAC), securing an All-SCAC Honorable Mention certificate. On the defensive side of the pitch, Second Team All-SCAC junior goalkeeper Rodrigo Lazo is back after corralling 59 saves and posting a 0.76 goals against average, fourth-best in the SCAC. Rounding out the returning All-SCAC Celts is senior defender Andres Marquez who earned Honorable Mention accolades. Ian Clerihew returns for his sixth season at the helm of the St. Thomas program after earning SCAC Coach-of-the-Year honors a season ago.

"This is a really competitive conference and all games are a challenge," head coach Ian Clerihew said. "We are excited with our incoming freshmen and veteran leadership to help lead us in our season."