Terps Picked Fifth In 2002 ACC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Virginia, North Carolina picked one-two by conference coaches.
Abe Thompson returns for the 2002 Terrapins, who were ranked fifth in the ACC preseason poll.

Abe Thompson returns for the 2002 Terrapins, who were ranked fifth in the ACC preseason poll.

July 24, 2002

Greensboro, N.C. - Virginia, the 2001 ACC regular-season champions, has 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. The Terrapins have been selected to finish fifth.

The Cavaliers 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 defending NCAA Champion North Carolina, who 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 are Wake Forest (26), Maryland (22), Duke (17) and NC State (7).

The Terrapins are coming off an 11-9-1 record in 2001, and were eliminated from NCAA tournament play in the second round by Loyola in overtime, 1-0. The Terps have no seniors this season, but because of the eight medical redshirt seasons that team members have taken, Maryland still brings a plethora of talent and college playing experience to the field this fall when they open on August 21 in an exhibition against DC United. The game will be played at Ludwig Field and begins at 7:30 p.m.

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. 

2002 PRESEASON ACC MEN'S SOCCER POLL
School          	Points	2001 Record/Finish
1. Virginia     	45	17-2-1, 6-0 ACC/1st
2. North Carolina	43	21-4, 4-2 ACC/2nd
3. Clemson      	36	19-5, 4-2 ACC/3rd
4. Wake Forest  	26	13-6-2, 3-2-1 ACC/4th
5. Maryland     	22	11-9-1, 1-4-1 ACC/6th
6. Duke         	17	8-10-1, 2-4 ACC/5th
7. NC State     	7	4-15, 0-6 ACC/7th