August 16, 2016

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU men's soccer team was voted to repeat as the American Athletic Conference regular season champions, league officials announced Tuesday morning.

The defending regular-season champions received five of the eight first-place votes en route to 47 total points. The Mustangs are No. 12 in the NSCAA preseason poll.

"We are honored to be selected as preseason favorites by the coaches in The American," head coach Kevin Hudson said. "This is great for marketing and recruiting but preseason rankings are based on prior year results so this is merely recognition of the foundation the 2015 SMU team laid. That was last year's team and 2016 is a new year with all new teams in the AAC. The AAC is one of the most competitive leagues in the country and there is never an easy game. We will compete to our maximum in every match to ensure we are in the conversation when the league draws to a close in November."

Four Mustangs were also named to the preseason All-Conference team, led by junior forward Mauro Cichero. Cichero, a 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy watch-list honoree, was unanimously voted preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Cichero was a 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and led the league with 15 points in American play last year, earning him NSCAA All-America honors and the AAC Offensive Player of the Year title.

Redshirt-junior goalkeeper Michael Nelson was named preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, his second consecutive season receiving the honor. Nelson, the 2015 AAC Goalkeeper of the Year, registered 90 saves and nine shutouts last season. He ranked first in the conference in saves, save percentage (.796) and shutouts.

Junior defenders Jordan Cano and Jared Rice also received preseason all-conference recognition. Cano was named to the all-conference second team last season and AAC All-Rookie team as a freshman in 2014. Rice played and started in all 22 games last season and led the team with 10 assists. He was also named to the all-rookie team as a freshman in 2014. Rice and Cano anchored the back line that only allowed 23 goals in 22 games last season.

"The student-athletes selected for preseason awards should be proud of this recognition," Hudson said. "They all rightfully earned this based on their performances last season. The great thing about these players is that they also understand that individual success is only achieved when the team is at its best."

The Mustangs host Michigan State in their season opener on Friday, Aug., 26. Kickoff is at 7p.m.

2016 American Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Honors

Preseason Coaches' Poll
Place  School                   Points (1^st Place Votes)

1. SMU                       47 (5)
2. USF                        41 (1)
3. UConn                    40 (2)
4. Tulsa                      32
5. Temple                   23
6. UCF                       18
7. Cincinnati               16
8. Memphis                 7

 
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Mauro Cichero, SMU*
 
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Jake Nerwinski, UConn
 
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Michael Nelson, SMU
 
Preseason All-Conference Team
GK – Michael Nelson, SMU
B – Jake Nerwinski, UConn*
B – Simen Olafsen, UConn
B – Jordan Cano, SMU
B – Jared Rice, SMU
M – Kwame Awuah, UConn*
M – Raul Gonzalez, Memphis
M – Lindo Mfeka, USF
M – Ray Saari, Tulsa
F – Abdou Mbacke Thiam, UConn
F – Nazeem Bartman, USF*
F – Mauro Cichero, SMU*
F – Jorge Gomez Sanchez, Temple
 
[*] Denotes unanimous selection