FULL RELEASE
ST. LOUIS – The University of Evansville men's soccer team was picked to finish in a tie for second in the annual Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll and three Purple Aces were named to the MVC Preseason All-Conference Team, as announced by the league office Monday morning.
Evansville received two first-place votes and tallied 36 total points to finish in a tie for second with Drake. SIU Edwardsville was tabbed as the favorite to win the league, as the Cougars received one first-place vote and racked up 40 points.
Bradley was slotted fourth after garnering a pair of first-place nods and 35 total points, while Missouri State (21), Central Arkansas (19) and Loyola (9) rounded out the poll.
Junior Patrick Hodges, along with sophomores Mark Anthony Gonzalez and Faik Hajderovic, represented UE on the MVC Preseason All-Conference Team and Evansville's three selections tied SIUE for the most representatives on the preseason squad.
Hodges started all 18 games on the Aces' back line last season and earned All-MVC Honorable Mention status, after leading UE's defensive unit to six shutouts and a 1.39 goals against average. The Evansville, Ind., native also was also named the Defensive Player of the Tournament at last year's ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic.
Gonzalez was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team in 2012 after tying for the team-lead with five goals and finishing second on the squad with 11 points. The sophomore midfielder tied for the team lead with five points in conference matches, scoring a pair of goals with an assist.
Hajderovic earned NSCAA/Continental Tire All-Midwest Region Third Team accolades and All-MVC Honorable Mention recognition last season after leading Evansville with 15 points on five goals and five assists. The St. Louis, Mo., native attempted 45 shots, putting 20 on goal and was named to the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team.
The Aces open their 2013 season Friday at The Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic in Peoria, Ill. UE will play Massachusetts at 4:30 p.m. and close the weekend with a 10:30 a.m. contest against New Hampshire Sunday.
