DENVER – Seattle University men’s soccer has been tabbed the favorite in the 2019 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released Wednesday morning. Julian Avila-Good, Declan McGlynn, and Thomas Mickoski were all named All-WAC Preseason.
“It’s good to get an idea of how people think the league is going to shape up, but games are played on the field,” said Coach Pete Fewing. “This is a tough league. It’s demanding and there’s no easy place to play. It’s gotten more and more competitive each year.”
The Redhawks earned five first-place votes and 112 total points to claim the top spot in the poll. UTRGV was next, with Air Force and Grand Canyon tied for third. UNLV was chosen fifth, while San Jose State, Utah Valley and California Baptist were sixth, seventh, and eighth, respectively. CSU Bakersfield took ninth, Houston Baptist and Kansas City tied for 10th, and Incarnate Word rounded out the rankings.
Fewing enters his 26th year at the helm of the SU program. He has guided the Redhawks to WAC Tournament titles in 2013, 2015, and 2017, winning the regular season crown in 2013 and 2015.
Avila-Good was a 2018 All-WAC Second Team choice. The senior started all 20 games at midfield last year, tallying three goals and four assists.
Last season, McGlynn was picked WAC Freshman of the Year, All-WAC Second Team, and All-WAC Newcomer. He put up six goals and five assists in 18 appearances at forward.
Mickoski, a senior defender, started all 20 games in 2018. He was vital to SU’s six shutouts and 1.19 goals against average.
Seattle U opens the season on Friday, Aug. 30, as San Francisco visits Championship Field.