Wabash received 44 points, trailing in-state rival Earlham College by one point. The Quakers were picked to finish sixth with 45 points. Ohio Wesleyan, an NCAA Division III Regional finalist last season, was the top pick in the poll, earning 99 points and nine of the ten first place votes submitted by the NCAC coaches. Allegheny was second with 84 points and one first place vote.
Wabash finished 8-10 last season with a 3-6 conference record. Seniors Cody Lawson (Carmel, IN/Carmel and Sean McNulty (Ft. Wayne, IN/Bishop Luers) return along with All-Conference midfielder Tom Reifenberg (Ft. Wayne, IN/Bishop Dwenger), the fourth-leading scorer on the team last season. The junior finished the 2002 season with eight points on two goals and four assists. Also returning is the third-leading scorer from last year's team, sophomore midfielder Aaron Kunkle (Ft. Wayne, IN/Concordia Lutheran) (photo), who had 14 points (six goals, two assists).
Wabash will open the season on Saturday, August 30 against Kalamazoo College in the opening game of the Wabash Soccer Classic. DePauw University will play Marian College from Wisconsin in the second game at 3 p.m.
Click here for the complete NCAC 2003 Men's Soccer Poll