RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan Men's Soccer team was picked seventh in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) preseason coaches' poll the league announced this afternoon. The Jaspers finished 2011 on an impressive run winning five of their final eight games en route to a berth in the MAAC Title game. Reigning champion Fairfield was picked to repeat as conference champions.

After snapping a 43-match winless streak, Manhattan went on a four match unbeaten streak late in the regular season to garner the six seed in 2011's conference tournament. They would then post back-to-back shutout wins over Loyola and Iona in the postseason, reaching their second championship game ever, and first since 1994. Their magical year ended however in the title game with a 3-0 loss to Fairfield.

The Stags received 96 points in the poll with seven first place votes, while Iona was second with 92 points and three first place votes. Loyola University Maryland was picked third with 82 points and Marist College finished in fourth place with 57 points. Siena College was fifth with 53 and Niagara University was one point behind in sixth. Manhattan College, last year's championship runner-up, was picked seventh. Canisius College was eighth (31), followed by Saint Peter's College (27) and Rider University (22).

Manhattan begins the 2012 campaign on Fri., Aug. 24 when they host Villanova at 7:30 p.m. at Gaelic Park. The squad returns 15 players from last year's team including All-Tournament performers Eugene Heerschapp and George Ellis.

2012 MAAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll

2012 MAAC Men's Soccer Preseason All-MAAC Team

2012 MAAC Men's Soccer Co-Preseason Players of the Year:

                            Jordan Ayris, Fairfield / Franklin Castellanos, Iona