Aug. 5, 2008

University of Richmond, Va. - The Richmond Men's Soccer team was picked to finish 10th out of 14 teams in the Atlantic 10 Preseason poll, voted on by the conference's coaches.

Last season's injury plagued team is expecting a much better performance with the return of key players Kern Gardiner, Scott Loesser, Fynn Glover, Delano Pierre, Jake Russell and Brennan Lincoln.

The Spiders return a strong group of experienced players led by seniors Gardiner, Pierre, Loesser, Thomas Kale and Lincoln.

Returning forwards Pierre and Russell have one season under their belt playing together and the duo are looking to be quite formidable this coming season.

Prior to injuries that limited them to a combined total of 13 games last season, Gardiner and Loesser tied for second on the Spiders for goals and points in 2006. In the midfield, Gardiner and Loesser's creative play will add to the instrumental defensive workings of Glover and Lincoln.

The re-vamped backline will be led by returning senior Kale along with Russell Himelein, Devin Wesenberg, Daniel Larkin, Malcolm Joseph and David Koepfer.

The Spiders will be looking to one of three goalies, newcomers Brock Tomlinson and Grant Schonberg and returning sophomore Alex Thorup to fill the shoes of three-time All-Atlantic 10 selection and 2006 A- 10 Defensive Player of the Year Eric Sciocchetti.

The Spiders will begin preseason camp on Aug. 12th before opening up play in Bethlehem, Pa. at Lehigh on Aug. 29. The Spiders will then return to Richmond for VCU's Nike/Alltel Challenge on Sept. 5th and 7th.