--Defiance, Ohio—The Defiance College Men’s Soccer squad has been picked to finish third in the HCAC in the conference’s preseason coaches poll, receiving one first-place vote.

After advancing to the Heartland Conference championship game last season, 2003 HCAC Coach of the Year Brian Kelley returns almost all contributing members of the 14-5-1 ’03 team.

“We are excited about using the experience we now have along with the talent of the large incoming freshman class,” said the Jackets’ fourth-year coach.

Last season’s conference ‘Freshman of the Year’ Branden Able (Cincinnati, Ohio) will look to build on his 12-goal, four-assist season a year ago, while junior Jeff Meyer (Amelia, Ohio) returns to goal after leading the league in shutouts with three in 2003. Junior defender Joel Wilkins (Amelia, Ohio), another All-HCAC selection a year ago, will look to lock-down opposing offenses in 2004.

Manchester was picked to win the league, while last year’s champion Transylvania was picked second.

The DC men open up the season on September 3rd at 3:00 p.m. when they host Fairhaven Baptist .