NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has announced the 2017 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll.  Iona has been voted eighth in the poll.  Three different teams earned first place votes as Quinnipiac topped the poll as the preseason favorite. 

The Bobcats just beat out the defending 2016 MAAC Champions Rider by three votes.  Quinnipiac garnered seven first place votes.  Rider took home three.  Broncs senior forward Jose Aguinaga has been named the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year.

Last year the Gaels placed in seventh, falling one game short of qualifying for the 2016 MAAC championship playoffs.  This year Head Coach James Hamilton and the Gaels welcome a bevy of new talent to blend with key returners.

In the attacking position, junior Killian Colombie returns after starting in 16 of his 18 appearances last season, scoring four times on 27 shots.  Senior Luis Mendoza will act as an anchor in the midfield while junior defender Humbert Ferrer readies to be the front of the Maroon & Gold defense.

Hamilton and his staff have 13 new student-athletes, a blend of transfers and freshman, all of whom have a chance to make an immediate impact on the pitch for the Maroon & Gold.

The full 2017 MAAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll can be seen below.
 

	Team	Votes
1.	Quinnipiac	113 (7)
2.	Rider	110 (3)
3.	Monmouth	95
4.	Siena	88 (1)
5.	Fairfield	63
6.	Canisius	61
7.	Marist	60
8.	Iona	48
9.	Manhattan	39
10.	Niagara	29
11.	Saint Peter's	20

The Gaels open the season on Friday, Aug. 25 at Connecticut in Storrs, CT.  Iona's first home game is on Wednesday, Sept. 13 against LIU Brooklyn at 3 PM.

Fans can keep up with the latest news and excitement surrounding Iona men's soccer by following the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.