July 1, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - UMass rising junior Ben Arikian, the reigning Atlantic 10 Midfielder of the Year, headlines the 2009 A-10 preseason men's soccer All-Conference team, as selected by the league's head coaches.

Arikian led the Minutemen in points (15) and assists (seven), while his assist total ranked third in the A-10 last season. He contributed four goals on the year and scored or assisted the game-winning goal in nine of Massachusetts' 10 wins. He was a 2008 All-Conference first-team honoree and named to the the Mid-Atlantic All-Region first-team by the NSCAA.

Members of last year's All-Conference first-team who earned preseason honors this year also include Temple senior midfielder J.T. Noone (7 goals, 12 assists, 26 points) and senior forward Andy Stadler (14 goals, 3 assists, 31 points) of George Washington.

Second-team All-Conference selections from last season on the 2009 preseason All-Conference team include sophomore forward Erkko Puranen (9 goals, 0 assists, 18 points) from Rhode Island, Dayton senior forward Alex Torda (10 goals, 3 assists, 23 points) and Saint Louis senior defender Tim Ream (0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points).

Charlotte senior midfielder Adam Gross (6 goals, 6 assists, 18 points) and Ryan Handbury (1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points), a senior defender from Dayton, appeared on the honorable mention All-Conference team in 2008 before joining this year's preseason team, while Fordham sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Meara (0.97 GAA, .799 save %; 9-8 record) was an All-Rookie selection last fall and one of three sophomores to earn 2009 preseason accolades. Rounding out the preseason All-Conference team is Dayton sophomore defender Jack Pierson and senior midfielder Kyle Hayes from Saint Louis.

The preseason All-Rookie team includes teammates Ryan Bauer, Evam McCreary and Sewell Strifler of Dayton; Benny Estes, Nick Maglasang, Mark Pais and Alex Sweetin of Saint Louis; George Washington's Brendan Lafferty; Robby Gargaro of Rhode Island; Charlotte's Steven Saballos; and Michael Valencia of Fordham.