SAN ANTONIO -- Midwestern State is the clear pick to claim its sixth Lone Star Conference title since the start of the 2004 season in a poll of the league's coaches, sports information directors and selected media as released Tuesday afternoon.
Senior forward David Freeland garnered top preseason honors for the second consecutive season afternoon scoring seven goals and dishing out four assists to help the Mustangs to a 13-4-1 mark and a sixth straight NCAA Division II postseason appearance.
South Central Region champion Incarnate Word was picked to finish second as the Cardinals receive three votes followed by West Texas A&M while defending league champ Eastern New Mexico was picked fourth.
MSU returns just two starters in Freeland and sophomore defender Sam Bartek and just six total letter winners including junior forwards VcMor Eligwe and Chase Robertson and junior midfielders B.A. Catney and Brett Helm.
The Mustangs open the season against Texas A&M International on Aug. 31 at the MSU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Incarnate Word sophomore James Nero garnered the league's top defensive honors.
2012 LSC Preseason Poll
Offensive Player of the Year
David Freeland, Midwestern State
Defensive Player of the Year
James Nero, Incarnate Word
|
Place |
Team (1st votes) |
Points |
|
1 |
Midwestern State (7) |
35 |
|
2 |
Incarnate Word (3) |
29 |
|
3 |
West Texas A&M |
20 |
|
4 |
Eastern New Mexico |
16 |
