Marshall University Athletics
Photo by: Adam Gue
Men’s Soccer Picked Fourth in Conference USA Coaches Poll
8/13/2019 5:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Herd with highest predicted finish in last nine seasons
IRVING, Texas – The Marshall men's soccer team was tabbed to finish fourth in the 2019 Conference USA Preseason Poll, the league office announced Tuesday. The fourth place prediction is the highest the Thundering Herd has been picked in the preseason poll going back to 2011.
"Obviously it's nice to have the highest pick from the coaches that we have ever had," head coach Chris Grassie said. "However, we are not aiming for fourth we are aiming for first as is everybody else in the conference. But, we are definitely using it as motivation. Not an achievement."
Marshall has steadily climbed in the preseason polls since coach Grassie took over before the 2017 season. The Herd was predicted to finish eighth in 2017 and ended up sixth. Then in 2018 Marshall was picked sixth in the preseason poll and finished fifth. Both of those seasons saw the Herd reach the semi-final match of the Conference USA Tournament. Marshall lost both times to the eventual C-USA Champion.
The Herd hosts an exhibition match against WVU Tech on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. at Hoops Family Field. Marshall then takes on UNC Asheville (Aug. 23) in a final exhibition match before officially beginning the 2019 season on the road at Purdue Fort Wayne on Aug. 30.
Marshall has eight home matches on the schedule with the first home meeting coming on Sept. 6 against Butler. The Herd will cap off the home games against reigning Conference USA champion Kentucky on Nov. 3.
The Conference USA Tournament is set for Nov. 13-17 in Norfolk, Va., hosted by Old Dominion.
2019 C-USA Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Kentucky
2. Charlotte
3. Old Dominion
4. Marshall
5. FIU
6. South Carolina
7. UAB
8. Florida Atlantic
For all of the latest information on the Marshall men's soccer team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdMSoccer, Facebook at Marshall University Soccer and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
"Obviously it's nice to have the highest pick from the coaches that we have ever had," head coach Chris Grassie said. "However, we are not aiming for fourth we are aiming for first as is everybody else in the conference. But, we are definitely using it as motivation. Not an achievement."
Marshall has steadily climbed in the preseason polls since coach Grassie took over before the 2017 season. The Herd was predicted to finish eighth in 2017 and ended up sixth. Then in 2018 Marshall was picked sixth in the preseason poll and finished fifth. Both of those seasons saw the Herd reach the semi-final match of the Conference USA Tournament. Marshall lost both times to the eventual C-USA Champion.
The Herd hosts an exhibition match against WVU Tech on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. at Hoops Family Field. Marshall then takes on UNC Asheville (Aug. 23) in a final exhibition match before officially beginning the 2019 season on the road at Purdue Fort Wayne on Aug. 30.
Marshall has eight home matches on the schedule with the first home meeting coming on Sept. 6 against Butler. The Herd will cap off the home games against reigning Conference USA champion Kentucky on Nov. 3.
The Conference USA Tournament is set for Nov. 13-17 in Norfolk, Va., hosted by Old Dominion.
2019 C-USA Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Kentucky
2. Charlotte
3. Old Dominion
4. Marshall
5. FIU
6. South Carolina
7. UAB
8. Florida Atlantic
For all of the latest information on the Marshall men's soccer team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdMSoccer, Facebook at Marshall University Soccer and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
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