AIKEN, S.C.--The USC Aiken men’s soccer team is tabbed to finish sixth according to the 2005 Peach Belt Conference preseason coaches poll, released by conference officials. The Pacers picked up four fifth-place votes and two more sixth-place tallies for a total of 10 points, placing them just in front of North Georgia by one point.

Clayton State, ranked 14th in the preseason NSCAA Top 25 poll, is the coaches’ choice to win the 2005 PBC title. With four first-place votes and 33 points, the Lakers edged out USC Upstate who garnered 29 points, but did not receive a first-place tally.

UNC Pembroke, rated #4 in the preseason NSCAA Top 25 poll, was a close third with two first-place votes totaling 28 points. The Braves are coming off a season where they advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals. Lander picked up the final first-place vote, coming in at number four with 24 points. Francis Marion (14), USC Aiken (10), and North Georgia (9) round out the remaining spots.

The Peach Belt Conference will take on a new look in 2005 with the exit of North Florida to Division I and the entrance of North Georgia into the league.

Six-points were awarded for first-place votes, five-points for second, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

USC Aiken, who finished 5-11-2 overall and 0-6-0 in the PBC last year, will open up the 2005 campaign at the Clayton State Tournament versus Queens University of Charlotte on Friday, August 26 at 5:00 PM.

2005 Peach Belt Conference
Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll

Team..................................Points
1. Clayton State (4)................33
2. USC Upstate.......................29
3. UNC Pembroke (2)..............28
4. Lander (1)..........................24
5. Francis Marion...................14
6. USC Aiken........................10
7. North Georgia......................9