ROCK HILL, S.C. --- The Tusculum College men's soccer team has been picked to finish fifth in the South Atlantic Conference according to the 2010 Preseason SAC Coaches' Poll, announced league officials Wednesday. Tusculum senior forward Andres Jarquin (Guatemala City, Guatemala) was also named to the Preseason All-Conference First Team.

The Pioneers received 58 total points in the poll of the league's 10 men's soccer coaches. Carson-Newman in the favorite in this year's poll, receiving 94 total points, including five of the 10 first-place votes. Wingate is second with 89 points and three first-place votes, followed by Lincoln Memorial with 76 points and two first-place nods.

League newcomer Anderson is tabbed to finish fourth in the race for the SAC championship with 68 points, followed by Tusculum, Lenoir-Rhyne (54), Mars Hill (43), Newberry (31), Catawba (25), and Brevard (12).

Three of the top four teams in this year's poll advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament last season, including Anderson, who fell to eventual national-runner-up Lees-McRae in the second round.

Jarquin, a native of Guatemala City, Guatemala, earned a spot on the All-SAC Second Team last season, tallying six goals and 19 points, which were both 10th-best in the conference. The 5-8, 150-pound forward also recorded seven assists, which tied him for third in the league. The Preseason All-Conference Team is selected by a vote of the league's 10 sports information directors.

Tusculum returns three starters and five lettermen from last season's SAC Tournament championship squad. The Pioneers open the season on Sep. 3 against King College (Tenn.) in Banner Elk, N.C.

- SAC -

2010 SAC Preseason Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll
Rk. Team (1st place voteS) Pts.
1. Carson-Newman (5) 94
2. Wingate (3) 89
3. Lincoln Memorial (2) 76
4. Anderson 68
5. TUSCULUM 58
6. Lenoir-Rhyne 54
7. Mars Hill 43
8. Newberry 31
9. Catawba 25
10. Brevard 12

2010 Preseason All-SAC Men's Soccer Teams
First Team
Forward - Robert Hill, Carson-Newman
Forward - Dave Bailey, Lenoir-Rhyne
Forward - Fernando Silveira, Lincoln Memorial,
Forward - Andres Jarquin, Tusculum
Midfielder - Aaron McKenna, Lincoln Memorial
Midfielder - Luke Mulholland, Wingate
Midfielder - Richard Marquetty, Carson-Newman
Midfielder - Adrien Moufflet, Anderson
Defender - Adam Thomas, Carson-Newman
Defender - Matthew Finlay, Carson-Newman
Defender - Lucas Pereira, Lincoln Memorial
Defender - Tom Poole, Wingate
Goalkeeper - Mike Watkins, Lincoln Memorial

Second Team
Forward - Adrian Ochoa, Newberry,
Forward - Lasse Sohrweide, Anderson
Forward - Rury Caulfield, Mars Hill
Forward - Friddy Hoegener, Mars Hill
Midfielder - Ben Backstron, Carson-Newman
Midfielder - Oriol Cortes, Lenoir-Rhyne
Midfielder - Giovanni Malnati, Mars Hill
Midfielder - Nate Arroyo, Newberry
Defender - Jack Vundum, Wingate
Defender - James Moseley, Anderson
Defender -Anthony Chiapetta, Carson-Newman
Defender -Corey McCollom, Wingate
Goalkeeper - Jordan Moore, Carson-Newman