Men's Soccer Tied for Fourth in NSCAA Preseason Poll

San Antonio – The Tiger men’s soccer team has been ranked fourth in the Division III preseason poll released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Continental Tire.

Trinity finished 14-2-2 last season, advancing to the NCAA Playoffs for the 10th consecutive year.  The Tigers were eliminated in the semifinals of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament at the end of the regular season, snapping a streak of nine consecutive conference titles.

The Tigers return six starters from the 2011 squad, including All-Region honorees Denny Mask and Kyle Porter – both senior defenders.  Reigning SCAC Newcomer of the Year, sophomore Matt Cardone, also returns as Trinity’s goalkeeper in 2012, as does All-SCAC honoree Aaron Olson (senior midfielder).

The other returning starters were Darren McAfee (junior midfielder) and Nima Naderi (senior midfielder), while junior forwards Brian Hines and Yuri Ribiero are also both key returners for the Tigers.  Hines is the leading scorer among returning players with 10 goals, while Naderi, McAfee, and Ribiero lead the returners in assists.  Ribiero was selected to the NSCAA All-American team as a first-year player, but missed the majority of 2011 due to injury.

Head Coach Paul McGinlay is entering his 22nd season with the Tigers, having compiled 350 victories in his first 21 years.  McGinlay is the winningest active coach (by percentage) in all NCAA divisions, and is  fifth in winning percentage in NCAA history.