Tuesday, August 19, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – For the fourth consecutive year, the Simon Fraser Clan has claimed the top spot in the GNAC pre-season coaches poll.

The No. 3 nationally ranked Clan has reached the NCAA semifinals the past two years and has only lost four out of 48 conference matches since its inaugural GNAC season in 2010.

Four-time Coach of the Year Alan Koch welcomes back eight starters including GNAC Newcomer of the Year Magnus Kristensen, GNAC Defender of the Year Alex Rowley and senior Jovan Blagojevic who was the second in the conference in goals scored last year.

Koch’s team led the nation last year in total points (211) and goals (77), the latter a GNAC record. The team was also second in scoring offense (3.35/gm) and total assists (57).

Seattle Pacific, the only other team to receive a first-place vote, came in at No. 2 in the poll.

The Falcons finished with a 12-4-3 record last year and qualified for the NCAA tournament where they were dealt an early exit losing 1-0 to Chico State.

Returnees such as NSCAA first team all-region defender Bryson Pavel and first team GNAC goalkeeper Cody Lang look to knock off Simon Fraser for the GNAC crown.

Three points behind SPU is Western Washington, which ended last season with a commanding 3-0 victory over then No. 2 Simon Fraser.

Head coach Greg Brisbon fared well in his first season, compiling an 11-4-3 record, and looks to build upon that season with a strong defense.

The Vikings have three GNAC team honorees returning on the defensive side of the ball highlighted by senior goalkeeper Keegan Rogers who led the conference in save percentage and goals against average.

Finishing the top half of the poll is Northwest Nazarene with 42 points.

2013 was a record breaking year for Crusaders senior Freddy Razo. The Newcomer of the Year broke the NNU school record for most goals scored in a season (14) and most points scored in a season (30).

Second-year coach Alex Balog and his Montana State Billings Yellowjackets finished tied for sixth place in the conference last year but arrive at No. 5 in the coaches poll.

The Yellowjackets have recruited numerous transfers and return three defensive starters for a team that has its sight set on a few upsets this season.

The Saints of Saint Martin’s move up one spot from last year’s poll to No. 6.

Coach Rob Walker and the Saints only lost one of their first five conference games last year and with the return of seven starters look to duplicate that record again.

In seventh place is the University of Mary who finished tied for sixth in the conference last year, but lost only two of its last eight conference games including a 2-2 tie with the nation’s third ranked team, Simon Fraser.

The South Dakota School of Mines, finishing eighth in the poll, may be the youngest team in the conference with only five upper classman and one senior.