The Valparaiso University men’s soccer team has been picked to finish seventh in Horizon League play for the upcoming 2013 season, as announced today by the League office.  The Crusader men are coming off a 2-2-3 Horizon League regular season that culminated in a heartbreaking 1-0 semifinal loss to eventual league Tournament champion, Cleveland State.

Each of the eight Horizon League coaches received a vote and were not allowed to vote for their own team.  First-place votes were worth 8 points, second-place votes were worth 7 points, continuing to the eighth place vote which was worth 1 point.

The Horizon League looks to be highly competitive once again in 2013 as six teams received at least one first place vote.  Cleveland State led the way with three first-place votes, recording 41 points.  Milwaukee (34 pts.), Oakland (34 pts.), Detroit (30 pts.), UIC (30 pts.), and Wright State (25 pts.) also received first place votes.  Valparaiso totaled 23 points, while Green Bay rounded out the polling with 7 points.

Valparaiso opens up exhibition play on Monday, August 24 at IPFW at 4:00 p.m., and closes exhibition play at Brown Field against Lewis on Monday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m.  The regular season is set to begin on Friday, August 30, as the Crusader Men travel to Jacksonville, Florida. They will face off against Jacksonville and North Florida in the Mike Gibbs Memorial Tournament. 

For updates and insight, follow the Crusaders throughout the 2013 campaign on Twitter - @vumso

2013 Horizon League Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll