The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men’s soccer team is ranked 16th in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Preseason Poll, released Tuesday.
UMHB finished the 2017 season at 17-3-1, advancing to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament and earning the program’s first American Southwest Conference championship. Defending national champions Messiah College top the poll with reigning runners-up North Park University in second. University of Chicago is third after finishing 19-2-3 a year ago with Brandeis University and Tufts University rounding out the top five.
“We are excited to build on the success of last season,” head coach Brad Bankhead said. “We have a lot of work to do, but we have a good group of guys who are ready to continue taking the program to new heights.”
UMHB will open 2018 play in an exhibition match on Saturday, August 18th against Huston-Tillotson University at 7 pm. The Cru opens the regular season against Puget Sound on Friday, August 31st before hosting University of Dallas on Sunday, September 2nd for the regular season home opener.
