July 24, 2002

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Virginia, the 2001 ACC regular-season champions, have been selected as the favorite for the upcoming 2002 ACC Men's Soccer season, as determined by a vote of the league's seven head coaches. North Carolina, the defending NCAA champions, were a close second, just two points behind the Cavaliers.

The Wahoos finished the 2001 campaign with a 17-2-1 overall record, including a 6-0 league mark and competed in the NCAA Tournament for the 21st consecutive year. Heading into 2002, Virginia collected 45 points in the pre-season balloting, edging out Carolina, which finished second in the poll with 43 points.

The Tar Heels ended last year's season on a five-game winning streak, a 21-4 record, including a 4-2 league mark as well as the program's first NCAA men's soccer national title.

Finishing third in the poll was Clemson with 36 points. The Tigers were the 2001 ACC Tournament Champions and finished last year with a 19-5 record.

Completing the pre-season poll in order of finish is Wake Forest (26), Maryland (22), Duke (17) and NC State (7).

Considered by many to be one of the top soccer conferences in the nation, ACC schools have won 10 national championships in men's soccer over the last 18 years. Below is a listing of the preseason coaches' poll with 2001 records and regular season finishes.