Two Cadets Receive Preseason All-League Honors

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Army West Point men's soccer team picked up a trio of preseason Patriot League awards and was selected to finish fifth in the preseason poll, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.

For the second consecutive year, Army found itself in the fifth spot in the preseason poll with 89 points. Loyola, the defending regular season champion, was chosen as the league favorite and received 162 points with 18 first-place votes. Boston University was picked to finish second right behind the Greyhounds with 129 points while earning the remaining two first-place votes.

Colgate and Lehigh each collected 124 points and tied for third. The Black Knights were followed by Bucknell (88) Holy Cross (71), American (55), Navy (30) and Lafayette (28).

Two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, Zac McGraw, defended his title as the preseason defensive player of the year for the second-straight year. He has served as a key cog on the back line for the Cadets in his first two seasons. He led an Army defense that finished atop the league in fewest goals allowed (14), while limiting the opponents to the fewest amount of shots (132). The Torrance, Calif., native also helped the Black Knights post a league-best eight shutouts a season ago.

"Zac is one of the top-10 defenders in this country and he'll have a great opportunity to lead the team this fall," head coach Russell Payne said.

Keenan O'Shea, who locked up All-Patriot League Third Team honors after a solid sophomore campaign, is receiving preseason all-league recognition for the first time in his career. He netted five goals as one of the team's top scoring threats. The Chesterfield, Va., native also handed out four helpers and compiled 14 points on the year.

"Keenan is an inspiring and entertaining player and we look forward to his leadership this fall," Payne stated.

Army will open its 2018 campaign against Seton Hall at Malek Stadium at Clinton Field on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m.

For more information on Army West Point men's soccer, visit GoArmyWestPoint.com and follow @ArmyWP_MSoccer on Twitter.

Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Maryland – 162 (18 first-place votes)
2. Boston U. – 129 (2 first-place votes)
T3. Colgate – 124
T3. Lehigh – 124
5. Army West Point – 89
6. Bucknell – 88
7. Holy Cross – 71
8. American – 55
9. Navy – 30
10. Lafayette – 28

Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Mark Forrest, Lehigh, Sr., F
Patriot League Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland, Jr., M
Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Zac McGraw, Army West Point, Jr., D

Men's Soccer Preseason All-Patriot League Team*^
Keenan O'Shea, Army West Point, Jr., F
Matt Thorsheim, Bucknell, So., F
Mark Forrest, Lehigh, Sr., F
Josh Fawole, Loyola Maryland, Jr., F
Brian Saramago, Loyola Maryland, Jr., F
Toni Knutsson, Boston U., So., M
Gabriel Carlsson, Loyola Maryland, Sr., M
Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland, Jr., M
Zac McGraw, Army West Point, Jr., D
Aram Ouligian, Colgate, Sr., D
Mickey Watson, Loyola Maryland, Sr., D
Chase Vosvick, Loyola Maryland, So., GK

*Student-athletes are listed by position; alphabetically by institution
^ Due to a tie, there are two non-position specific players on the team

Army West Point Athletics

Two Cadets Receive Preseason All-League Honors

Players Mentioned

Zac McGraw

Keenan O'Shea

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