MANCHESTER, N.H. – Southern New Hampshire University will enter the 2014 season as the nation's top-ranked team in NCAA Division II men's soccer, as
the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) released its Division II preseason rankings Thursday afternoon. The Penmen, the defending Division II national champions, sit atop the ranking, followed by Carson-Newman University, Simon Fraser University, Rockhurst University and Rollins College.
LIU Post (No. 8) and Post University (No. 24) are the other East Region squads ranked. The Penmen face Post, who gave SNHU its only loss last season, on Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 pm at home.
"Being ranked No. 1 only means that we are a highlighted game on everyone else's schedule for the year. We are used to having a target on our backs but this year will be a challenge considering our success last season," said seventh-year SNHU head coach Marc Hubbard, the 2013 NSCAA Division II Coach of the Year. "This ranking bears no weight in our locker room, we have not accomplished anything yet. This is a new group with new goals, our focus cannot be on last year or on current rankings."
SNHU earned the top spot in the preseason after compiling a 22-1-1 record and capturing the program's second NCAA Division II national championship in 2013. Southern New Hampshire enters 2014 on a 23-game unbeaten streak and entered last season's national tournament as the nation's top-ranked team. SNHU returns a total of 20 players from last season's squad and is expected to have 12 newcomers in preseason camp, which opens on Monday, August 18.
"I am excited for what the group looks like on paper, but we have to become a team and learn how to work with one another and that takes time. I am excited for the 18th and getting back to work," added Hubbard.
The Penmen open the 2014 season on Thursday, September 4 when they host Bloomfield College in a 7:00 contest at Larkin Field.
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National Soccer Coaches Association of America
2014 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Preseason Ranking
1) Southern New Hampshire (22-1-1)
2) Carson-Newman (16-6-1)
3) Simon Fraser (17-3-2)
4) Rockhurst (17-4-3)
5) Rollins (15-3-0)
6) Mercyhurst (17-5-1)
7) Lindenwood (19-1-2)
8) LIU Post (18-2-2)
9) UC San Diego (14-3-5)
10) Regis (Colo.) (14-4-1)
11) Young Harris (16-2-0)
12) Midwestern State (12-4-2)
13) Lander (12-6-1)
14) Cal State Los Angeles (14-2-5)
15) Lewis (13-3-5)
16) Notre Dame (Ohio) (15-4-0)
17) Saint Leo (13-2-2)
18) West Florida (14-5-2)
19) Ohio Dominican (12-3-4)
20) Millersville (13-6-2)
21) Limestone (15-4-0)
22) Queens (N.C.) (16-4-0)
23) Fort Hays State (12-6-2)
24) Post (15-3-2)
25) West Texas A&M (12-3-1)
