SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Defending regular season champion Denver was the top selection in the Summit League men's soccer preseason coaches' poll released Tuesday by league officials. The Pioneers garnered four first-place votes and secured 16 points overall in the poll, which is voted on by the league's five head coaches.
The Pioneers were ranked No. 15 in the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Poll and received votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. DU has won a NCAA Tournament first-round game in each of the past two seasons and received an at-large bid a season ago.
Reigning tournament champion Omaha edged Oral Roberts for second place as the Mavericks received 12 points and the remaining first-place vote. The Mavericks’ tournament title snapped a run of four consecutive tournament titles won by Denver.
The Golden Eagles, who have won or shared the regular season in three of the last five seasons, were picked to finish third with 11 points. ORU took second in the standings a season ago.
Kansas City, who has appeared in back-to-back tournament title games, was selected fourth, finishing with seven points, while St. Thomas rounded out the poll with four points.
The Summit League Men’s Soccer Championship will have a new look in 2024. The championship will feature a single match between the top two seeds and be played on the home field of the No. 1 overall seed on Saturday, Nov. 16.
| 2024 Summit League Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School |
Points (1st) |
2023 Record (SL) |
| 1. |
Denver |
16 (4) |
12-3-5 (7-0-1, 22 pts) |
| 2. |
Omaha |
12 (1) |
8-8-4 (3-3-2, 11 pts |
| 3. |
Oral Roberts |
11 |
10-4-3 (5-1-2, 17 pts) |
| 4. |
Kansas City |
7 |
4-8-6 (2-3-3, 9 pts) |
| 5. |
St. Thomas |
4 |
3-10-3 (1-5-2, 7 pts) |
Players to Watch
Sam Bassett | Denver | Junior | Midfielder
• Named to the 2023 United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team and All-West Region First Team
• Named the 2023 Summit League Midfielder of the Year and earned All-Summit League First Team honors
• Tied for third among Summit League players with eight goals and ranked second in assists with seven in 2023
Ronan Wynne | Denver | Senior | Defender
• Returns after missing the 2023 season
• Named the 2022 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year and earned Summit League All-First Team and United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Second Team honors
• Anchored a 2022 back line that ranked third nationally in shutout percentage (0.591)
Luis Flores | Oral Roberts | Senior | Forward
• 2023 Summit League Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year
• Earned All-Summit League First Team honors and named to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team in 2022
• Led all Summit League players with 15 goals, six game-winning goals and 32 points in 2023
Schinieder Mimy | Oral Roberts | Senior | Defender
• Named to the All-Summit League Second Team in 2023 after earning honorable mention honors in 2022
• Started all 13 matches he appeared in, helping the ORU defense register six shutouts in 2023
Theo Klein | Omaha | Senior | Forward
• Named to the All-Summit League First Team
• Ranked third among Summit League players with eight goals, six of which came from the penalty spot
Nathanael Sallah | Omaha | Senior | Goalkeeper
• Earned All-Summit League honorable mention honors in 2023
• Named the 2023 Summit League Championship MVP and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team after leading Mavericks to title
• Shared Summit League lead with 57 saves and tied for second with six shutouts in 2023
Miguel Fernandez | Kansas City | Sophomore | Midfielder
• Named to the Summit League Academic Honor Roll
• Started 16 of 17 matches he appeared in during first collegiate season in 2023
• Scored first collegiate goal in Summit League win over Western Illinois
Julien Le Bourdelous | Kansas City | Senior | Midfielder
• Named to the Summit League All-First and All-Newcomer Teams
• Started 14 fo 17 games he appeared, sharing the team lead with three goals
• Placed a team-high 20 shots on goal
Gunnar Busch | St. Thomas | Junior | Midfielder
• Started all 16 matches for the Tommies, leading the team in minutes played at 1,411
• Tallied first career assist in a 1-1 draw with Kansas City
Sidney Kerr | St. Thomas | Graduate | Midfielder
• Embarking on first collegiate season stateside after playing the previous two seasons for Barwell Football Club in his native England
• Attended Londonborough University
Note: Players to Watch nominated by league's head coaches
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