Spartans Fifth in Big Ten Poll
Aug. 28, 2010
East Lansing, Mich. - Michigan State was selected fifth in the Big Ten men's soccer poll, and placed three players on the Conference's Players to Watch list, which was announced on Saturday at the Soccerpalooza National Soccer Festival in Fort Wayne, Ind. All seven Big Ten teams are competing in the Festival, with the Spartans facing off against ACC entry Duke at 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning. The time, originally scheduled for 11 a.m., has been adjusted to account for team travel. Michigan State, which finished tied for sixth place with Michigan last season with identical 2-4 conference records, is predicted to finish in 2010. Ohio State is selected as the conference favorite, followed by Indiana at No 2 and Northwestern and Penn State tied for third place in the survey. Michigan and Wisconsin were picked sixth and seventh, respectively. Each of the top five teams in the Big Ten preseason polls appear in the preseason Top-25 lists released by soccer outlets. MSU's national rankings in these polls ranges from No. 18 to No. 24, showing the depth and competitiveness of the Big Ten Conference that is expected to take place once the league schedule gets underway. MSU's Players to Watch are Hermann Trophy Watch List candidate Avery Steinlage, along with senior classmates Spencer Thompson and Colin Givens. The Spartans officially begin their 2010 season next weekend, when they travel to the nation's capital to take on No. 3 Maryland next Friday evening. MSU will play at Georgetown next Sunday to complete the road trip. Name School Yr. Position Hometown Rich Balchan Indiana Sr. Midfielder Carmel, Ind. Will Bruin Indiana Jr. Forward St. Louis, Mo. Tommy Meyer Indiana Jr. Defender St. Louis, Mo. Chris Blais Michigan Jr. Goalkeeper Seattle, Wash. Justin Meram Michigan Sr. Forward Shelby Township, Mich. Jeff Quijano Michigan Sr. Defender Simi Valley, Calif. Colin Givens Michigan State Sr. Defender Troy, Mich. Avery Steinlage Michigan State Sr. Goalkeeper Grand Haven, Mich. Spencer Thompson Michigan State Sr. Midfielder Shelbytown, Mich. Matt Eliason Northwestern Sr. Forward Lombard, Ill. Oliver Kupe Northwestern Jr. Forward Clarkston, Mich. Cody Stanley Northwestern Sr. Defender Lansing, Ill. Matt Gold Ohio State Sr. Defender San Antonio, Texas Sam Scales Ohio State Sr. Midfielder Louisville, Ky. Konrad Warzycha Ohio State Sr. Forward Dublin, Ohio Matheus Braga Penn State Sr. Midfielder Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Drew Cost Penn State Sr. Midfielder West Chester, Pa. Corey Hertzog Penn State Jr. Forward Reading, Pa. Aaron Nichols Wisconsin Sr. Defender Woodstock, Ill. Jon Rzepka Wisconsin Sr. Midfielder Kentwood, Mich. Josh Thiermann Wisconsin Sr. Midfielder Stoughton, Wis.
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