MEN'S SOCCER PICKED THIRD IN PRE-SEASON POLL

BOSTON – The University at Albany men’s soccer program has been selected third in the preseason America East coaches’ poll, the conference announced Tuesday.

The Great Danes are two-time reigning America East Champions, winning their second consecutive title last season. The team clinched the fourth overall seed in the conference tournament and advanced past UMBC at home and top-seed Vermont on the road, before dispatching UMass Lowell on the road in the tournament final. In its last five America East Tournament games, UAlbany has allowed just one goal.

This year’s team will return six starters from last year’s title-winning squad, including nearly 70% of last year’s scoring, headlined by 2017 Third Team All-American Daniel Krutzen and 2017 leading scorer Nico Solabarrieta, as well as goalkeeper Danny Vitiello.

UAlbany received three first-place votes, tied for the most with UMass Lowell, and accumulated a total of 40 points. The Riverhawks were picked atop the poll for the second-consecutive season, amassing three first-place votes and 44 total points. New Hampshire slotted into second, with the remaining two first-place votes and 42 total points.

Defending regular-season champion Vermont was fourth with 32 points, followed by UMBC with 27, Stony Brook with 16, 2016 finalist Hartford with 12, and Binghamton with 11.

The Great Danes will open the season at home against Marist on Friday, August 24.

Tickets are available in all seating areas for $50 for games only, or for $75 for games and parking.

To purchase season tickets, call 518-442-DANE, or CLICK HERE to purchase tickets online.

2018 America East Preseason Coaches' Poll

1UMass Lowell44 (3)

2New Hampshire42 (2)

3UAlbany40 (3)

4Vermont32

5UMBC27

6Stony Brook16

7Hartford12

8Binghamton11