Aug. 5, 2005
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Villanova men's soccer received a fourth place ranking (71 points) in the Red Division according to the Big East preseason poll the conference announced Thursday. After a successful 2004 campaign (7-5-6, Big East 5-3-2), the Wildcats will depend on senior captains Pat Gallagher and Brett Strassfurg to lead the young team that graduated two integral starters. Another starter, third team All-Big East selection and leading scorer Danny DeMasters tore his ACL in July and is expected to take a medical redshirt this season.
With DeMasters out, Gallagher will be expected to continue contributing offensively. Despite playing defense, he was the `Cat's second leading scorer with three goals and two assists last season. On the defensive end, Gallagher is a big player who typically marks the opposition's leading scorer.
In the midfield, Strassfurth will direct traffic and even insert into the offense during certain situations. He tied the team-high three assists in 2004 and head coach, Larry Sullivan, is anticipating a similar offensive showing in 2005.
The Big East is going back to its two-division format after adding five schools making it the largest Division I soccer conference in the nation. St. John's topped the preseason voting with 120 points and 15 first place selections to place first in the Red Division with Rutgers (95 points) and South Florida (90 points, 1 first place) following close behind. In the Blue Division, 2004 Big East champion Connecticut received 113 points and nine first place votes for the top spot. 2004 regular season champ, Notre Dame, placed second with 112 points and seven first place votes. Seton Hall rounded out the top three in the blue division with 91 points.
Each team will play seven divisional opponents and four other conference foes for an 11-game round robin schedule. The conference tournament will showcase the top 12 teams, six from each division. First and second round games will be held at the top seed's home site with the University of Connecticut hosting the semifinals and championship Nov. 11 and 13.
Villanova kicks off its season at the Villanova Soccer Complex Sept. 1 against Delaware beginning at 3:00 p.m. Pittsburgh will serve as the `Cat's first conference opponent at home on Sept. 16.
