Southern Conference Preseason Poll/All Conference Nominations

The College of Charleston men’s soccer team was picked to finish in a tie for second in the 2009 Southern Conference Preseason Poll as voted on by the league’s eight head coaches. The Cougars garnered 40 votes in the balloting and two first place votes, placing them in a tie with Furman.

Meanwhile, forwards Matt Morris (Anderson, S.C.) and Kareem Yearwood (Sou Sou Lands, Tobago) were named to the Preseason All-Southern Conference team. For Yearwood, this marks the second consecutive season that he has been named to the Preseason All-Conference squad.

Coach Lundy expressed, "This is great recognition and respect for Kareem and Matt, as well as our program. To have two players nominated for all-conference and our team picked to finish 2nd is a good thing, but with this recognition comes expectations. We must meet these expectations and then go beyond them."

Yearwood stated, "I feel honored to be mentioned in the preseason all conference team. I'm excited for the new season ahead. We have a good team again this year and should definitely be contending for the Southern Conference championship at the end of the year."

Defending regular season SoCon champion Elon was voted first in the poll after receiving 44 votes and four first place votes, while defending SoCon Tournament champion UNC Greensboro was slotted in fourth position with 33 votes.

The Cougars return 14 letterwinners and 10 starters from a season ago. Last year, the Cougars with a record of 11-10 overall, 3-4-0 in the conference and advanced to the finals of the Southern Conference tournament.

Morris, a senior, has served as one of the team’s Co-Captains for the last two seasons. In 2008 Morris still ended the season as the team’s statistical leader with 19 points and nine goals despite having to battle several injuries. For his career, Morris has scored 16 goals and recorded six assists.

Yearwood, also a senior, has been one of the conference’s top goal scorers the last two seasons, registering 18 goals (eight of which were game-winners). Last season, Yearwood scored seven goals and for his efforts was named to the All-Southern Conference and All-South Region team for the second consecutive season.

Charleston opens their 2009 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1 when they take on Coastal Carolina at Patriots Points Soccer Stadium. Game time is set for 7 p.m.