Terriers Picked to Defend Title in Pre-Season Coaches' Poll
August 26, 2002 | Men's Soccer
BOSTON - The Boston University men's soccer team was picked to finish first in the league in this year's America East Pre-Season Coaches' Poll.
The Terriers return nine starters and 16 lettermen from the 2001 squad that finished the season with a 13-5-1 overall record, a 9-1-1 record in conference play and won its first America East regular-season title in seven years. B.U. received five out of seven first place votes and 78 total points.
Hartford finished second in the pre-season voting, earning two first-place votes and 73 total points. The Hawks finished the 2001 regular season with an 8-2-1 conference record, good for second place in the league standings behind the Terriers.
America East tournament runner-up Northeastern, who fell to former America East-member Towson, 1-0, in last November's title game, was picked third with 62 points.
In a tight race for fourth place, New Hampshire (41 points) edged Stony Brook (39 points), Albany (38 points), and Vermont (37 points). Binghamton finished in eighth with 21 points, followed by last-place Maine with 16 points.
Overall, B.U. has won seven America East regular-season titles and five America East Tournament Championships. Its last Championship title and bid to the NCAA tournament came in 1997.
The Terriers open their 2002 campaign on Friday, August 30, when they take on UCLA in the opening round of the Fila Classic at Cal State-Fullerton. Game time is 4:30 p.m. (PST).
AMERICA EAST 2002 MEN'S SOCCER PRE-SEASON COACHES' POLL
| Team | Points |
| 1. Boston University (7) | 78 |
| 2. Hartford (2) | 73 |
| 3. Northeastern | 62 |
| 4. New Hampshire | 41 |
| 5. Stony Brook | 39 |
| 6. Albany | 38 |
| 7. Vermont | 37 |
| 8. Binghamton | 21 |
| 9. Maine | 16 |
