University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Tabbed by Coaches as ACC Preseason Favorite
August 10, 2004 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 10, 2004
GREENSBORO, N.C. - With nine starters back from last season's 12-4-4 squad, the University of North Carolina men's soccer team was picked as the preseason favorite to win the 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference title by the league's eight head coaches. The Tar Heels received a conference-best four first-place votes and 57 total points in the poll, which was released Tuesday. Following the Tar Heels in the preseason voting were defending champion Virginia, which was second with 51 points, and Wake Forest, which was third with 45 points. The Cavaliers claimed one first-place vote, as did Maryland (Fourth, 40 points) and Clemson (Fifth, 31 points). Duke was picked sixth (25 points), followed by league newcomer Virginia Tech (21 points) and NC State (18 points). The Hokies also received a first-place vote. Ranked No. 3 nationally in the CollegeSoccerNews.com Preseason Top 30, the Tar Heels return leading scorers Marcus Storey and Jamie Watson from last year's squad, as well as veteran defenders Tim Merritt and Ray Fumo. Following a pair of exhibition matches, Carolina opens the 2004 season against Penn State on Sept. 3 at the Ohio State Classic. The Tar Heels first home game is against Florida International on Sept. 10 in the Carolina Nike Classic.
2004 Preseason ACC Men's Soccer Poll School Points 2003 Record 1. North Carolina (4) 57 12-4-4 (2-3-1) 2. Virginia (1) 51 11-10-2 (3-3-0) 3. Wake Forest 45 15-5-0 (4-2-0) 4. Maryland (1) 40 20-3-1 (5-1-0) 5. Clemson (1) 31 9-7-4 (2-4-0) 6. Duke 25 8-10-1 (2-4-0) 7. Virginia Tech (1) 21 14-5-3 (7-3-0)* 8. NC State 18 9-9-2 (2-3-1) * denotes Big East conference record in 2003
