Men's Soccer Ranked 25th in the Country by Soccer America

The Central Connecticut men's soccer team was selected 25th in Soccer America's Preseason National Rankings, released today. After a spectacular season, ending in the Sweet 16 of last year's NCAA Tournament, the Blue Devils are poised to make another run in 2008. Defending National Champion Wake Forest, with a record of 22-2-2 in 2007, was picked to defend their crown.

Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland and Santa Clara round out the top five teams in Soccer America's Top-25. Two of CCSU's foes in last season's NCAA Tournament were also placed in the top 25. Harvard, who lost to the Blue Devils in a 3-2 match in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2007, was ranked number 16. In last year's Sweet 16, Central Connecticut fell to UMass by a score of 3-1. The Minutemen were selected 15th in the Soccer America Rankings.

Head Coach Shaun Green enters his 24th year at the helm of CCSU soccer and is ready to build on the success of the Blue Devil's 2007 campaign. He returns senior co-captains Yan Klukowski and David Tyrie, who were both recently named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, the most prestigious individual honor in collegiate soccer.

Three goal scoring sophomores will look to help lead Central Connecticut back to the NCAA Tournament. Forward Chris Brown was the Blue Devil's second leading scorer last season, totaling five goals and one assist. Midfielders Connor Smith and Robert Cavener had promising freshman seasons in the scoring department, netting three and one, respectively.

CCSU men's soccer will begin their quest for a title on September 2 when they travel Worcester, MA for an opening contest against the College of the Holy Cross at 7:00 p.m.