Kenyon Tops NCAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

CLEVELAND, OH – Seven-time defending North Coast Athletic Conference champion Kenyon was tabbed as the favorite in the race for the 2023 men's soccer championship according to preseason balloting of the league coaches.

The Owls collected six of the nine possible first-place votes and 78 points overall; Ohio Wesleyan was picked second after garnering the remaining three first-place votes and 75 total points. Denison was selected third with 60 points, while Wabash was tabbed fourth with 53 points, followed by DePauw (37) in fifth, Wooster (35) in sixth, Wittenberg (32) in seventh, Oberlin (26) in eighth, and Hiram (9) in ninth.

Kenyon finished 2022 with the team's 13th conference title in program history, a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA Tournament and a 19-2-1 overall record. The Owls will be led by first-year head coach Travis Wall (Ohio Wesleyan, 2012) following the departure of Chris Brown who guided the Kenyon program for 18 seasons. The team returns 2022 All-NCAC first-team defender Aidan Burns (Newfield, NJ/Delsea Regional), along with two second-team selections including defender Matt Nguyen (Dudley, MA/Shepherd Hill Regional) and goalkeeper Jack Pedreschi (Shirley, MA/Groton School). All three played a large role within a Kenyon defensive unit that yielded just 12 goals in 22 games, logged 13 shutouts and posted a team goals-against average of 0.55.

The 2023 NCAC men's soccer season begins Sept. 1, with eight conference teams playing in non-conference action. The first day of NCAC play is scheduled to kick off on Sept. 30 with a full slate of league matchups, Kenyon at DePauw, Denison at Hiram, Wittenberg at Ohio Wesleyan and Wooster at Oberlin.

 
2023 NCAC Men's Soccer
Preseason Coaches' Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses , followed by total points)
1. Kenyon (6) 78
2. Ohio Wesleyan (3) 75
3. Denison 60
4. Wabash 53
5. DePauw 37
6. Wooster 35
7. Wittenberg 32
8. Oberlin 26
9. Hiram 9

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