WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University men's soccer team was picked first in the BIG EAST Conference Preseason Coaches Poll on Wednesday as the reigning league champions. Additionally, senior
Brendan McDonough (Matthews, N.C. / Charlotte Catholic) was named the BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year while forwards
Achara (Enugu, Nigeria / Berkshire School [Mass.]) and
Derek Dodson (Aurora, Ill. / Waubonsie Valley) both earned spots on the Preseason All-BIG EAST squad.
The Hoyas received seven first-place votes and a total of 79 points. Butler earned the remaining three first-place votes and a total of 73 points. Both Georgetown and Butler represented the league in the NCAA Tournament field last season. Xavier was picked to finish third in the league with 60 points. Creighton, Providence and Marquette rounded out the top six as the Bluejays and Friars tied at fourth with 54 points and the Golden Eagles picked up 37 points. St. John's was picked seventh with 33 points with Villanova close behind with 31. Seton Hall (20 points) and DePaul (9 points) rounding out the preseason standings.
Along with preseason player of the year honors, McDonough was also one of four unanimous selections to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team. The second-year captain was already named to the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List last week.
McDonough appeared in 18 games with 17 starts to his credit last season. He led a defense that posted eight shutouts and allowed just 15 goals on the year. As a junior, he was named First Team All-Great Lakes Region by the United Soccer Coaches as well as being a First Team All-BIG EAST honoree. In his career, he has tallied 42 games played with 35 starts.
Achara was Georgetown's third-leading scorer a season ago despite appearing in just 11 games due to injury. The forward managed seven goals and one assist. In his three league games, he managed a goal and an assist, and he opened the 2017 campaign scoring five goals in the first four games. He earned a nod to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Sept. 4.
Dodson was the BIG EAST Freshman of the Year in 2017 after an outstanding rookie campaign. The forward was a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection and named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman team. He led the Hoyas in scoring with a team-best 10 goals and two assists for 22 points including three game winners. Dodson earned two BIG EAST Rookie of the Week honors as well as one BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week award. He also received one nod to the weekly honor roll.
Only the Hoyas and Bulldogs had three players earn preseason accolades. There are high expectations for both Georgetown squads as the women were also selected first in the preseason poll.
Georgetown will open the season on the road with a contest at South Carolina on August 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
