Photo Credit: Brian Jenkins

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —The University of Vermont men’s soccer team was picked to finish third in the America East Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The league released the poll on Wednesday.

Boston University, the reigning America East Champions and preseason No. 24 team in the nation according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, was tabbed as the favorite to win the conference again. The Terriers received all seven first place votes (coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams), and 49 points. Binghamton, who Boston defeated in the 2008 America East Championship, received 39 points, five better then Vermont (34).

Albany, projected to finish fourth received the other first-place vote and 30 points. Hartford was picked fifth (25), five points ahead of New Hampshire (20), followed by Stony Brook (15) and UMBC (12).

The Catamounts finished 2008 9-4-7 overall and 4-1-3 in the America East under Jesse Cormier, who will be entering his sixth season at the helm. As the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, Vermont defeated Hartford 3-1 in the first round, before losing to eventual champion Boston University in the semifinals. The Catamounts were the only team to defeat Big Ten Champion Michigan State, a Sweet 16 team, at home last season. Their win at No. 22 Central Connecticut State, also gave Vermont a victory over a nationally ranked team for the fifth straight season.

T.J. Gore, one of only two seniors returning, (Macomb, Mich.,), a 2008 Second Team America East player and sophomore midfielder Yannick Lewis (Toronto, Ontario), who was named to the America East Rookie Team, return for the Catamounts.

Vermont kicks off the season on Tuesday, September 1, at Centennial Field against Siena. The game is slated to start at 3:00 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online at www.UVMathletics.com or at the gate the day of the game.