Going for the Gusto
Lincoln Memorial University - last year's NCAA Division II runner-up - is poised to make another postseason run in 2008 despite the loss of seven seniors from the most successful team in program history.
The Railsplitters set a school-record with a 20-4-1 record, while repeating as Appalachian Region and South Atlantic Conference champions last year, and return three preseason All-SAC selections to this season's squad.
Leading the way for LMU will be 2007 SAC Player of the Year and Daktronics National Player of the Year Leandro Pereira. One of six players that hail from Brazil on the Railsplitters' 2008 roster, Pereira paced the SAC with 23 goals and 55 points last year. Defender Felipe Nogueira also landed a spot on the Preseason All-SAC first team, while midfielder Aaron McKenna was named to the second team.
"We have had a great recruiting year and will field a very talented team," says head coach Helio D'Anna. "Our preseason trip to Brazil should help the team bond in preparation for the opener against Delta State on August 28."
Lincoln Memorial is the coaches' favorite to win the SAC, and is ranked No. 2 in the NSCAA/adidas Division II Preseason Top 25.
NEW LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN: After claiming the inaugural Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title in 2007, Gannon University will be looking for a league trophy as members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference this year.
The Golden Knights' previous accomplishments were enough to prompt the PSAC head coaches to predict them to finish first in the league's Western Division.
Gannon, which earned a No. 15 ranking in the NSCAA/adidas Division II Preseason Top 25, welcomes back 13 lettermen and eight starters from a 2007 squad that earned the program's first NCAA Tournament bid since 1993. The Golden Knights' returnees account for 42 of their 47 goals netted last year.
NEW DIGS: The University of Incarnate Word will start the season in the newly built Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium as the Cardinals host No. 23 Regis on Aug. 29.
Although the team has not been able to practice at new facility, the No. 21 Cardinals have been adjusting to the new artificial surface at a nearby high school football stadium.
"It's usually a quicker surface to play on," said head coach John Smith. "You have to play (the ball) to feet a lot more otherwise it'll go out of bounds. Games on turf tend to have more throw-ins and free kicks."
UIW was selected as the favorite to repeat as Heartland Conference champions in the preseason coaches poll. The Cardinals return the 2007 HC Freshman of the Year Dustin Lemley, and NSCAA All-Midwest Region pick Gil Ben Nachum (10 shutouts in 2007).
JUST PEACHY: Although Lander University was not chosen to claim the Peach Belt Conference title in the league's preseason poll, there's no need to count out the Bearcats as they return some key players, including three preseason all-league picks.
Lander, ranked No. 18 in the NSCAA/adidas Division II Preseason Poll, returns last year's top returning scorer Aaron Brittain and defender Jamie Ramm. The Bearcats also will welcome back a healthy Adam Arthur, the 2006 PBC Freshman of the Year, who missed most of last season to injury.
"We are optimistic," said head coach Van Taylor. "We have a strong nucleus returning from last year's team that did have a great year. We have some great senior leadership with Martyn Bell and Tyler Davis. We are very excited and have high expectations for this year. We are looking to build on last year's success. I think the players are focused."
The Bearcats' home opener against Eckerd has been moved from Aug. 28 to Aug. 31.
