Marshall University Athletics
Men’s Soccer Tabbed as Conference USA Preseason Favorites
1/27/2021 2:35:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Yosef named C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
IRVING, Texas – Following a historic season that brought a conference title and advancing in the NCAA Tournament, the Marshall men's soccer team was picked to finish first in the Conference USA Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced Wednesday. Redshirt sophomore Milo Yosef garnered Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, and was joined on the Preseason All-Conference team by senior Pedro Dolabella and junior Jan-Erik Leinhos.
There will not be a conference tournament at the end of the 2021 spring regular season. The No. 1 overall seed will receive the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"Hunting the title is easier than defending the title," coach Grassie said. "But we now have to defend the championship, and that is the next level for this group and our progression as a team. I love our conference as there are so many good teams with great coaches who will provide fantastic competition that we can test ourselves against."
The Thundering Herd finished with a program record 16 victories (16-3-3), and were 5-1-1 in league action. Coach Grassie's squad earned the 2019 Conference USA Regular Season Championship, defeated 17th-ranked Charlotte 1-0 in overtime for the C-USA Tournament Title, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history ending in the third round, in just his third season at the helm. Coach Grassie is 32-22-7 overall at Marshall.
The Herd moved into the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 rankings on Oct. 15, 2019 at No. 21 for the first time since Oct. 1, 2001 (No. 23). Marshall continued to climb and finished the season ranked No. 11. The Herd earned a first round bye in the NCAA Tournament and hosted a second round matchup that saw West Virginia come to Hoops Family Field. It was the first time in 15 years (Sept. 15, 2004) that the two in-state programs faced each other on the pitch, and Marshall was victorious, 2-1, to advance to the third round at No. 6 Washington.
Yosef was an absolute star in his first season with the Herd in 2019. The Aachen, Germany native scored 12 goals, fifth-most in team history, and totaled 27 points good for eighth-best in Herd history. Yosef was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team, All-Conference First Team, C-USA Freshman of the Year, Offensive MVP, United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Team and a United Soccer Coaches All-American. Yosef's final goal of the year came as the game-winner against WVU in the NCAA Tournament, knocking in a shot off a corner kick with the back of his head in the 43rd minute.
Dolabella continued to shine on and off the pitch for Marshall in his junior campaign. He tied for second on the team with seven goals and notched four assists. His biggest goal of the year came with a header in the 103rd minute of the C-USA Title match to defeat Charlotte and bring home the championship. The Brasilia, Brazil native was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team and the Tournament Offensive MVP. Dolabella was also recognized for his work in the classroom garnering C-USA All-Academic team and United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-South Region team honors as well as earning the conference Academic Medal for maintaining a GPA of 3.75 or better.
Leinhos has been one of the steadiest performers for Marshall. The Felsberg, Germany native had started 36-straight matches before an injury held him out of four contests toward the end of the 2019 campaign. He made his return against WVU. Leinhos is a versatile player that can contribute on the offensive end as well being a stifling defender. He tied for third on the Herd with four goals including converting 2-of-2 penalty kick opportunities. Leinhos played every minute of seven matches on his way to totaling 1,456 minutes. He was named to the 2019 C-USA All-Conference Third Team and was selected as a United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team member.
The Herd has not played a match on the pitch since Dec. 1, 2019, at No. 6 Washington in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The fall 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marshall finally returns to the pitch on Feb. 3 versus VCU, after 430 days of waiting. The match is set for 5 p.m. at Hoops Family Field. Ticketing information is forthcoming.
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!
There will not be a conference tournament at the end of the 2021 spring regular season. The No. 1 overall seed will receive the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"Hunting the title is easier than defending the title," coach Grassie said. "But we now have to defend the championship, and that is the next level for this group and our progression as a team. I love our conference as there are so many good teams with great coaches who will provide fantastic competition that we can test ourselves against."
The Thundering Herd finished with a program record 16 victories (16-3-3), and were 5-1-1 in league action. Coach Grassie's squad earned the 2019 Conference USA Regular Season Championship, defeated 17th-ranked Charlotte 1-0 in overtime for the C-USA Tournament Title, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history ending in the third round, in just his third season at the helm. Coach Grassie is 32-22-7 overall at Marshall.
The Herd moved into the United Soccer Coaches Top-25 rankings on Oct. 15, 2019 at No. 21 for the first time since Oct. 1, 2001 (No. 23). Marshall continued to climb and finished the season ranked No. 11. The Herd earned a first round bye in the NCAA Tournament and hosted a second round matchup that saw West Virginia come to Hoops Family Field. It was the first time in 15 years (Sept. 15, 2004) that the two in-state programs faced each other on the pitch, and Marshall was victorious, 2-1, to advance to the third round at No. 6 Washington.
Yosef was an absolute star in his first season with the Herd in 2019. The Aachen, Germany native scored 12 goals, fifth-most in team history, and totaled 27 points good for eighth-best in Herd history. Yosef was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team, All-Conference First Team, C-USA Freshman of the Year, Offensive MVP, United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Team and a United Soccer Coaches All-American. Yosef's final goal of the year came as the game-winner against WVU in the NCAA Tournament, knocking in a shot off a corner kick with the back of his head in the 43rd minute.
Dolabella continued to shine on and off the pitch for Marshall in his junior campaign. He tied for second on the team with seven goals and notched four assists. His biggest goal of the year came with a header in the 103rd minute of the C-USA Title match to defeat Charlotte and bring home the championship. The Brasilia, Brazil native was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team and the Tournament Offensive MVP. Dolabella was also recognized for his work in the classroom garnering C-USA All-Academic team and United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-South Region team honors as well as earning the conference Academic Medal for maintaining a GPA of 3.75 or better.
Leinhos has been one of the steadiest performers for Marshall. The Felsberg, Germany native had started 36-straight matches before an injury held him out of four contests toward the end of the 2019 campaign. He made his return against WVU. Leinhos is a versatile player that can contribute on the offensive end as well being a stifling defender. He tied for third on the Herd with four goals including converting 2-of-2 penalty kick opportunities. Leinhos played every minute of seven matches on his way to totaling 1,456 minutes. He was named to the 2019 C-USA All-Conference Third Team and was selected as a United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team member.
The Herd has not played a match on the pitch since Dec. 1, 2019, at No. 6 Washington in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. The fall 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marshall finally returns to the pitch on Feb. 3 versus VCU, after 430 days of waiting. The match is set for 5 p.m. at Hoops Family Field. Ticketing information is forthcoming.
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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Players Mentioned
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