Aug. 12, 2009

WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University men's soccer squad was picked to finish third in the Blue Division in the 2009 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Hoyas had 77 points and received one first-place vote after finishing the 2008 season with an overall mark of 11-5-3. Senior Len Coleman (Basking Ridge, N.J./Pingry School) who was one of 11 players named to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team.

Coleman earned NSCAA All-Region honors last season and is a two-time all-conference selection. The imposing defender helped the Hoyas to a record 10 shutouts last season after holding their first five opponents scoreless. He started 18 games in 2008 and has been a part of 18 career shutouts in his three years on the Hilltop.

Georgetown was picked to finish third in the Blue Division which is where the Hoyas stood at the end of the 2008 campaign. After posting a 5-3-3 record in conference play, the Blue & Gray downed Cincinnati in the opening round of the BIG EAST Tournament before falling to the eventual champs, South Florida.

GU was voted third in the Blue Division by the league's coaches behind Notre Dame and Connecticut, both constants in the national polls. Among all 16 teams in the conference, the Hoyas were sixth in total points trailing five squads that all received bids to the 2008 NCAA Tournament including Notre Dame, Connecticut, Louisville, St. John's and South Florida.

Georgetown has already received national attention this season earning the 33rd spot in TopDrawerSoccer.com's preseason 2009 Men's Tournament 48 Ranking. GU also has a nationally-ranked recruiting class coming in. The Hoya freshmen were ranked 14th by Soccer America.

The Hoyas will play a challenging slate this season going up against three of the four squads in last year's College Cup. Georgetown will host California and UCLA in its opening home weekend September 4th and 6th at North Kehoe Field.