In a vote of the Big West men's soccer coaches, perennial league power UC Santa Barbara was tabbed the favorite to claim the league championship it was announced today.

UCSB claimed the top position after collecting 45 points, which included four first place votes. As has been the custom in the Tim Vom Steeg tenure, the Gauchos lost significant talent, including MLS Superdraft first rounder Chris Pontius, but have plenty of players returning looking eager to make a splash for the Gauchos. Seniors Martin Hedevag (3 , 2 a) and David Walker (3 g, 1 a) return to lead UCSB in its quest for the conference crown. The Gauchos also have the services of talented sophomores Danny Berrera (1 g, 5 a), Luis Silva (1 g, 4 a) and Michael Tetteh (2 g, 1 a) as well as both keepers who played extensive minutes a year ago in sophomores Kristopher Minton (1.43 gaa, 42 sv, 3 so) and Trond Helge Takset (2.08 gaa, 23 sv, 1 SO). The concern with the backline has been alleviated with the return of juniors Michael Boxall (0 g, 2 a) and C.J. Cintas (redshirted in '08) as well as a slew of highly talented transfers from the the JC ranks. With the returning firepower and a top-flight group of recruits ranked #4 in the country by College Soccer News, look for the Gauchos to reclaim their place among the Big West and college soccer’s elite.

UC Irvine claimed second in the poll after collecting two first place votes on the way to 40 points. The Anteaters, who were slotted fifth in the 2008 preseason coaches poll, had a storybook season a year ago, winning a school-record 15 matches, the first regular season crown in school history and the inaugural Big West Tournament title on their way to the first NCAA appearance in program history. UCI lost standout performers like Matt Murphy, David Sias and Kyle Schmid from that club, but return a embarassment of riches poised to duplicate its ‘08 success. Returning first team All-Big West selections senior Irving Garcia (7 g, 9 a) and junior Spencer Thompson (8 g, 6 a) as well as emerging star junior Amani Walker (4 g, 5 a) headline a potent 'Eater attack, while players like Kevin Santora (2 g, 3 a), Gray Bailey (1 g, 3 a) and Jimmy Turner (0 g, 0 a) headline a strong defensive unit. The play between the pipes will be strong again as Big West Co-Freshman of the Year and Big West Tournament MVP sophomore Andrew Fontein returns. He posted a 1.02 goals against average, 73 saves and five shutouts over his stellar rookie campaign. George Kuntz' Anteater side will be tested with a tough non-conference schedule, but the returning experience and 38th-ranked recruiting class by College Soccer News should make this another season to remember for UCI.

Cal Poly, coming off a back-to-back 11 win seasons for the first time in school DI history, rounded out the top three with 34 points. The Mustangs suffered key personnel losses in Eric Branagan-Franco, Kyle Montgomery and Julian Alvarez, but return a bevy of talented performers ready to take the next step in the Big West. Leading the 15 returning lettermen and seven starters are All-America candidates junior David Zamora (8 g, 0 a) and 2008 Big West Co-Freshman of the Year and first team All-Big West selection sophomore Patrick Sigler (5 g, 1 a). Sigler is already a national name as he garnered Freshman All-America honors from Soccer America and College Soccer News, was the lone freshman selected to the NSCAA Far West Region first team list and is a member of the 2009 Men's Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List. Also returning for the Mustangs are excellent performers in sophomore Wes Feighner (4 g, 1 a), senior Daniel Cumming (3 g 1 a) and classmate Jose Garcia (1 g, 4 a) as well as stout defenders in Sigler, senior Josh Didion (1 g, 0 a) and sophomore Derek Brown (0 g, 0 a). While the loss of the Branagan-Franco is big between the pipes, junior Patrick McLain is ready to perform based on the merits of an outstanding prep career in Wisconsin. Add in the talents of a recruiting class ranked #33 by College Soccer News, and the Mustangs are primed for a run to their first Big West title.

Cal State Northridge, which collected the final first place vote, wrapped up the top four in the preseason poll with 32 points, followed by UC Davis in fifth with 20 tallies. Rounding out the 2009 edition of the poll are Cal State Fullerton in sixth (13) and UC Riverside (12) in seventh.

Men's Soccer Coaches Poll Results
No.    School    Pts.
1.    UC Santa Barbara (4)    45
2.    UC Irvine (2)    40
3.    Cal Poly    34
4.    Cal State Northridge (1)    32
5.    UC Davis    20
6.    Cal State Fullerton    13
7.    UC Riverside    12

() First-place votes