Cleveland, Ohio – The Oberlin College men's soccer team earned 58 points to finish fifth in the NCAC Preseason Poll, the league office announced on Wednesday afternoon.

In 2008, the Yeomen finished 9-8-2 overall and 3-4-2 in league play to finish sixth in the NCAC. However, this season could be promising as the pieces are in place to climb up the ranks this fall. OC returns one of the top finishers in the conference in forward Skyler Dum. The senior from Milford, Michigan, scored 10 goals last season – tying for second in the NCAC.

OC also welcomes back prolific assist-man Oliver Miller-Farrell as he dished out 11 helpers – including a league record-tying four in a 7-0 win against Earlham. The Yeomen should also be stout in goal with junior Zach Lipshultz serving as the team's main backstop. Despite missing time due to injury, Lipshultz still managed to tie for second in the conference with five shutouts a year ago.

Ohio Wesleyan received nine first-place votes and 96 points to claim the top spot in the poll, while Kenyon (88 points/1 first-place vote) and Hiram (80) round out the top three. The complete poll can be viewed below.

The Yeomen kickoff their season in less than a week as they are slated to host Heidelberg University at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1. The women's soccer team will follow at 7:30 p.m. with a match against Mount Union College.

2009 NCAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
() First-Place Votes

1. Ohio Wesleyan (9) - 96
2. Kenyon (1) - 88
3. Hiram - 80
4. Allegheny - 64
5. Oberlin - 58
6. Wittenberg - 53
7. Denison - 42
8. Wabash - 26
9. Wooster - 23
10. Earlham - 20