Aug. 20, 2015
MVC Release | 2015 Schedule | Roster
ST. LOUIS - Missouri State was picked to finish as the runners-up of the Missouri Valley Conference, according to a preseason poll of league men's soccer coaches released Thursday (Aug. 20) by the MVC office.
The Bears, who are coming off their third MVC regular-season title in four seasons, picked up three first-place votes and 39 total points in the poll to finish right behind SIU Edwardsville who racked in three first-place votes and 42 points. Loyola followed MSU closely in the polls with 38 points. Bradley (27), Drake (26), Evansville (15), and Central Arkansas (9) rounded out the rest of the results.
"We're excited to be at practice, and we're getting better as a team each day," said head coach Jon Leamy. "I can see the enthusiasm, and the guys are really starting to work well together."
Leamy, who enters his 24th season at the helm of MSU, is coming off a 9-5-4 campaign that saw the Bears claim the league's regular season title before falling to rival SIU Edwardsville in the conference tournament finals.
The Valley also announced its Preseason All-MVC Team on Thursday. Among the honorees was Missouri State senior standout Emmerich Hoegg. Hoegg played in all 18 games last season for the Bears and registered 7 goals, 1 assist, and 15 points. He is expected to miss a portion of the upcoming season after sustaining an injury in the preseason.
"He is a strong veteran who has the ability to find the back of the net. He will be missed on the field but the rest of the guys are ready to fill his spot," said Leamy. "Right now I am focused on putting my team together. I have been telling the guys to be ready and success will follow."
The Bears bring back two other senior starters for the 2015 season. Brandon Barbero and James Thomas combined for three goals, six assists, 28 shots, and 13 shots on goal in the 2014 season. Over the last three seasons, Barbero and Thomas have combined for 99 games played and 63 starts.
As a team in 2014, MSU ranked third in nation in shutouts with 11 in 18 games. The Bears also ranked fourth best in the nation with a 0.57 goals against average.
The Bears will conclude preseason exhibition play at the University of Tulsa this Friday, Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. Regular season for MSU is scheduled to kick off on Friday, Aug. 28 at the University of South Florida at 6 p.m.
#MSUBears
