Men’s Soccer Tabbed Fourth in Preseason Poll (8/16/06) 
Click here for an audio clip of Coach McNally
discussing the Heartland preseason poll

BILLINGS, MT –  The Montana State-Billings men’s soccer program was picked to finish fourth in the Heartland Conference following a recent poll of coaches and sports information directors.  The Yellowjackets ended the 2005 campaign 5-13-0.

“I think the poll is a fair reflection of last season,” said head coach Dan McNally.  “It is a good motivator – being ranked fourth – to prove people wrong.  We are optimistic about the upcoming season as our training camp is going well.”

Like their female counterparts, University of the Incarnate Word men’s program was picked to stand atop the leader board and repeat as conference champions.  The Cardinals, ranked as high as third in the nation, finished the season 14-4-3 overtaking St. Mary’s in last year’s Heartland Conference Tournament.  The Cardinals went to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year in 2005.

St. Edward’s was picked to finish second followed by last year’s conference runner up St. Mary’s, and the Yellowjackets.  Newman University, Texas-Permian Basin, and Texas A&M-International will be provisional members of the Heartland Conference for the 2006 season.  Although the conference will play each of the provisional schools, they will not be included in the final season standings.  Rather than play an end of season tournament, the conference champion will be determined by a home-and-home conference schedule.

The Yellowjackets open their season on the road August 24 when they play Colorado State-Pueblo.  The Jackets face Colorado Christian and Regis University August 26 and August 28 respectively.  MSU Billings opens at home September 1 against conference opponent Incarnate Word.

2006 Heartland Conference Men’s Soccer Poll
1.  University of the Incarnate Word
2.  St. Edward’s University
3.  St. Mary’s University
4.  Montana State-Billings