Army West Point Athletics
McGraw, Epps Highlight Preseason All-League Honors
August 23, 2017 | Men's Soccer
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Army West Point men's soccer team grabbed three preseason Patriot League honors and was picked to finish fifth in the conference poll on Tuesday afternoon, as announced by the league office.
The Black Knights received 93 points in the preseason league poll, while Loyola leads the pack with 152 points and 10 first-place votes. The reigning Patriot League Champions Colgate (142) and American (116) each received five first-place votes to round out the top three, while Boston was picked fourth with 115 points.
Bucknell was slated sixth, earning 86 points, followed by Lehigh with 70 points and Navy with 52 points. Lafayette (49) and Holy Cross (25) round out the poll in ninth and 10th, respectively.
Sophomore defender Zac McGraw highlighted the accolades for the Black Knights after being named the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The Torrance, Calif. native also joins the preseason all-league team along with fellow yearling, Rex Epps.
"It's always an honor to have the players recognized," said head coach Russell Payne. "We are now squarely focused on the 2017 campaign and preparing for our first game versus a quality opponent."
McGraw was a key cog on the backline for the Black Knights' defense last season, starting in all 19 games. He also added a goal and four assists on the year and helped lead a strong defensive unit to the Patriot League Tournament game before being selected as a first team all-league player.
Epps led the Black Knights during his first year at Army with 22 points and 11 goals. He was the first plebe to tally 11 scores in a season in 28 years. At the conclusion of his first year, he was tabbed third team all-league, Second Team All-Northeast Region and College Soccer News All-Freshman Third Team.
The 2017 campaign kicks off the Black Knights when they host San Diego State at Clinton Field this Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Maryland, 152 points (10 first-place votes)
2. Colgate, 142 points (5)
3. American, 116 points (5)
4. Boston University, 115 points
5. Army West Point, 93 points
6. Bucknell, 86 points
7. Lehigh, 70 points
8. Navy, 52 points
9. Lafayette, 49 points
10. Holy Cross, 25 points
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Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Saramago, Loyola Maryland (So., F)
Patriot League Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland (So., M)
Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Zac McGraw, Army West Point (So., D)
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Men's Soccer Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Rex Epps, Army West Point (So., F)
Mark Forrest, Lehigh (Jr., F)
Doyle Tuvesson, Lehigh (Sr., F)
Brian Saramago, Loyola Maryland (So., F)
Jared Stroud, Colgate (Sr., M)
Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland (So., M)
Brock Dudley, Navy (Sr., M)
Zac McGraw, Army West Point (So., D)
Aram Ouligian, Colgate (Jr., D)
Christian Moyse, Lafayette (Sr., D)
Mac Burke, Navy (Sr., GK) Â Â Â
For more information on Army West Point men's soccer, visit GoArmyWestPoint.com and follow @ArmyWP_MSoccer on Twitter.
The Black Knights received 93 points in the preseason league poll, while Loyola leads the pack with 152 points and 10 first-place votes. The reigning Patriot League Champions Colgate (142) and American (116) each received five first-place votes to round out the top three, while Boston was picked fourth with 115 points.
Bucknell was slated sixth, earning 86 points, followed by Lehigh with 70 points and Navy with 52 points. Lafayette (49) and Holy Cross (25) round out the poll in ninth and 10th, respectively.
Sophomore defender Zac McGraw highlighted the accolades for the Black Knights after being named the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The Torrance, Calif. native also joins the preseason all-league team along with fellow yearling, Rex Epps.
"It's always an honor to have the players recognized," said head coach Russell Payne. "We are now squarely focused on the 2017 campaign and preparing for our first game versus a quality opponent."
McGraw was a key cog on the backline for the Black Knights' defense last season, starting in all 19 games. He also added a goal and four assists on the year and helped lead a strong defensive unit to the Patriot League Tournament game before being selected as a first team all-league player.
Epps led the Black Knights during his first year at Army with 22 points and 11 goals. He was the first plebe to tally 11 scores in a season in 28 years. At the conclusion of his first year, he was tabbed third team all-league, Second Team All-Northeast Region and College Soccer News All-Freshman Third Team.
The 2017 campaign kicks off the Black Knights when they host San Diego State at Clinton Field this Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Maryland, 152 points (10 first-place votes)
2. Colgate, 142 points (5)
3. American, 116 points (5)
4. Boston University, 115 points
5. Army West Point, 93 points
6. Bucknell, 86 points
7. Lehigh, 70 points
8. Navy, 52 points
9. Lafayette, 49 points
10. Holy Cross, 25 points
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Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Saramago, Loyola Maryland (So., F)
Patriot League Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland (So., M)
Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Zac McGraw, Army West Point (So., D)
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Men's Soccer Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Rex Epps, Army West Point (So., F)
Mark Forrest, Lehigh (Jr., F)
Doyle Tuvesson, Lehigh (Sr., F)
Brian Saramago, Loyola Maryland (So., F)
Jared Stroud, Colgate (Sr., M)
Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland (So., M)
Brock Dudley, Navy (Sr., M)
Zac McGraw, Army West Point (So., D)
Aram Ouligian, Colgate (Jr., D)
Christian Moyse, Lafayette (Sr., D)
Mac Burke, Navy (Sr., GK) Â Â Â
For more information on Army West Point men's soccer, visit GoArmyWestPoint.com and follow @ArmyWP_MSoccer on Twitter.
Players Mentioned
Defender
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