AIKEN, S.C.--USC Aiken’s men’s soccer team has been picked by the league’s coaches to finish seventh this season in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC), the conference office announced yesterday. USC Upstate (formerly USC Spartanburg) was tabbed as the favorite to win the league championship for the second straight year.

The Pacers earned only seven points in the voting which left them six points behind Francis Marion University in the seven-team conference. USC Aiken’s season begins on August 26, when they host Brewton Parker College at 7:00 p.m.

Last season USCA went winless, 0-11-0, and finished last in the PBC with an 0-6-0 mark. Head Coach Ike Ofoje (75-153-11 in eight years) welcomes back six of 11 starters and eight letterwinners. Ofoje has brought in 21 new players, including 10 freshmen, for the 2004 season.

UNC Pembroke followed USC Upstate with 29 points and Lander was a close third with 28 points. Clayton State (23 points) and North Florida (14 points) finished fourth and fifth respectively, followed by Francis Marion (13) and USC Aiken.

Six points were awarded for a first-place vote, five for a second-place vote and so on. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. The Spartans of USC Upstate garnered four of the possible six first place votes. UNC Pembroke picked up two votes for the top spot and Lander had one.

2004 Peach Belt Conference
Preseason Men’s Soccer Poll
...School .............Total
1. USC Upstate ......33
2. UNC Pembroke ...29
3. Lander ...............28
4. Clayton State .....23
5. North Florida ......14
6. Francis Marion ...13
7. USC Aiken .........7

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