GREENVILLE, S.C. – Following the team's second-ever appearance in the Division II tournament last season and their first-ever appearance in the United Soccer Coaches national poll earlier this month, the Converse University men's soccer team was selected fourth in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll.
Francis Marion was tabbed first with 183 points and six first-place votes. Chowan placed second with 180 points and four first-place votes. Young Harris rounded out the top three with 174 points and three first-place votes.
The Valkries received 167 points and the league's final two first-place votes.
Emmanuel sits in fifth with 124 points, and Barton follows closely with 122. Lees-McRae is the second-highest-ranked team from the Northwest Division. The Bobcats accumulated 113 points. Mount Olive follows immediately behind them with 112 points.
Belmont Abbey is the first team on the poll to fail to reach 100 points, sitting in ninth place with 94 points. North Greenville received 83 in tenth place. Southern Wesleyan, King, Erskine, Ferrum and Shorter round out the poll.
Seniors
Guilherme Fontes and Marin Burgos and sophomore
Amro Shibeika were tabbed as Preseason Players to Watch.
Fontes is a two-time all-conference honoree, earning first-team distinction last season. He was also named a D2CCA All-Southeast region second-team selection following the 2024 season. He appeared in all 19 games for the Valkyries and made 18 starts. He led the team with 25 points scored, split between nine goals and seven assists.
Burgos appeared and started in 18 games last season. He was named to the 2024 Conference Carolinas All-Tournament team.
Shibeika appeared in 18 games last season for the Valkyries and made four starts. He scored one goal and one assist.
The Valkyries kickoff the season on Sept. 4 at Weisiger Stadium as they host the Anderson Trojans. The match is set to begin at 7 P.M.
Follow Converse
https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries
Twitter: @Valkyries_MSO
Instagram: @converse_msoc
Youtube.com/Converse Athletics
