U of L men's soccer picked to win ACC Atlantic

From U of L:

The Louisville men's soccer team was announced on Thursday as the favorite to win the 2015 ACC Atlantic Division title by the league's 12 head coaches.

The Cardinals, who officially reported to campus on Tuesday and began preseason training on Wednesday for the 2015 season, received six of a possible 12 first-place votes and totaled 66 points overall. Louisville was also among four teams receiving two votes each as the second choice in the overall championship race, while reigning national champion Virginia was tabbed as the favorite with four votes.

Behind the Cardinals in the Atlantic Division preseason poll was Clemson, the defending ACC Champion, which earned five first-place votes and had 62 points overall. Wake Forest (46) also picked up a first place vote and was followed by Syracuse (40), NC State (20), and Boston College (18).

Virginia, with 64 points, was named by seven coaches as the favorite in the Coastal Division, edging out North Carolina, which had four first place votes and 59 points. Notre Dame, the 2013 national champion, was picked third with 54 points and one first place vote. Duke (35), Virginia Tech (26), and Pitt (14) rounded out the division.

The ACC placed seven teams in the NCAA Championship field in 2014, marking the second-straight year that the league has had the most teams from any conference. Virginia's national title was the seventh in the last 10 years by an ACC squad and 17th in league history.

Embarking on its second journey through the powerful ACC, the 2015 season is expected to be another exciting one for head coach Ken Lolla and the Louisville men's soccer program. The Cardinals return All-ACC First Team midfielder Ben Strong as well as ACC Freshman of the Year and All-ACC Second Team defender Tim Kubel from last year's squad, which advanced to the ACC Championship title match and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five seasons.

Louisville will open its three-match exhibition schedule on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., ET against Lipscomb at Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium. The Cardinals will also host UAB on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., and will visit Oakland on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. Louisville's regular season slate will begin at home on Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m., against William & Mary.

Season tickets start as low as $45 and can be purchased online here or by calling the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office at (502) 852-0120 or (502) 852-5151. Season tickets for 2015 include every regular season home match for both the men's and women's soccer programs.

Single match tickets are also on sale through the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office. Reserved chairback tickets are set at $12 for adults and $6 for youth. Fans can purchase online throughwww.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (502) 852-5151 or in-person at the Louisville Cardinals Ticket Office located at Gate 2 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Tickets can also be purchased on match days at Lynn Stadium starting one hour prior to kickoff.

2015 ACC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

Overall Champion (First place votes)
Virginia (4)
Clemson (2)
Louisville (2)
North Carolina (2)
Notre Dame (2)

Atlantic Division
1. Louisville (6) - 66
2. Clemson (5) - 62
3. Wake Forest (1) - 46
4. Syracuse - 40
5. NC State - 20
6. Boston College - 18

Coastal Division
1. Virginia (7) - 64
2. North Carolina (4) - 59
3. Notre Dame (1) - 54
4. Duke - 35
5. Virginia Tech - 26
6. Pitt - 14