UNCW men picked second in CAA soccer poll
RICHMOND, Virginia (UNCWSports.com) – UNCW has been picked to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association men’s soccer standings according to a vote of the league’s nine head coaches.
In addition, the Seahawks had a league-high four players – sophomore Emil Elveroth, juniors Phillip Goodrum and Mark Lindstrom, and senior Joel Bylander – named to the Preseason All-CAA Team.
“This is nice recognition for our four players and our team and affirmation that the other CAA coaches view our players and team very positively,” Coach Aidan Heaney said. “I have great belief in our group and it is exciting to know that we have other players not mentioned who will have an important say on how our season plays out. The team will need to be the star with everyone playing their part for what we hope will be another successful season.”
A starter in 19-of-20 games as a freshman, Elveroth earned Third-Team All-CAA and All-Rookie Team distinction after scoring five goals with two assists. The Halmstad, Sweden, native also paced the CAA with four game-winning markers and was the CAA Rookie-of-the-Week after guiding UNCW to a 2-0 victory over Longwood.
Goodrum, a native of Charlotte, N.C., claimed a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region Third Team and received First-Team All-CAA and NCCSIA All-State accolades after tallying a team-best 19 points, scoring seven goals with five assists. He was named CAA Player-of-the-Week after notching both goals in a 2-1 victory at William & Mary during the regular season.
Lindstrom was named to the Preseason All-CAA Team after guiding a defensive unit that allowed one goal or less in 11-of-20 contests last year. A native of Gavle, Gastrikland, Sweden, he started 14-of-16 games as a sophomore and was a Second-Team All-CAA selection.
A two-time Second-Team All-CAA selection, Bylander has started 36-of-37 games over the last two seasons. The Stockholm, Sweden, product attempted six shots last season, including four shots on goal.
William & Mary was selected as the preseason favorite to repeat as CAA champion after receiving all eight possible first-place votes. UNCW followed in second place while James Madison was tabbed to finish in third among the league’s nine teams.
2018 Colonial Athletic Association Predicted Order of Finish
1. William & Mary – 64 points (8 first-place votes)
2. UNCW – 56 points (1 first-place vote)
3. James Madison – 47 points
4. Hofstra – 43 points
5. Elon – 34 points
6. Delaware – 31 points
7. College of Charleston – 25 points
8. Northeastern – 14 points
9. Drexel – 10 points
Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association Men’s Soccer Team
Ryder Bell, William & Mary – Forward
Emil Elveroth, UNCW – Forward
Phillip Goodrum, UNCW – Forward
Antonio Bustamante, William & Mary – Midfield
Joel Bylander, UNCW – Midfield
Manuel Ferriol, James Madison – Midfield
Fede Prieto, Delaware – Midfield
Marcel Berry, William & Mary – Defense
Mark Lindstrom, UNCW – Defense
Luke Matthews, Elon – Defense
John Schroeder, Delaware – Defense
Matthew Jegier, Elon – Goalkeeper
CAA Preseason Player-of-the-Year: Antonio Bustamante, William & Mary
