ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference released its 2024 Men's Soccer preseason coaches poll and conference preview Monday morning in advance of this week's season kickoff. Out of the eight teams in the conference, the University of Northwestern was picked by the coaches to finish third.

View the entire UMAC press release here.

Northwestern's position near the top of the poll indicates the rest of the conference knows what Greg Wheaton does: his team brings back a lot of experience. All 11 point-scorers from 2023 are back on campus for the Eagles this fall, in addition to several key players whose contributions weren't always visible on the scoresheet. Alejandro Alfaro (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta) and Tim DeLoye (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West) head into their senior seasons fresh off Second Team All-UMAC honors a year ago. It was the second-consecutive Second Team billing for DeLoye, who was also named to the NCCAA All-North Central Region First Team. Alfaro is a three-time All-Conference selection, having been named to the First Team in 2021 and 2022. Joey McMillin (Hugo, Minn./Centennial) is back for his senior season as well after leading UNW in assists in 2023 with four. He also found the back of the net twice last season.

Northwestern received 33 points in the poll, putting UNW firmly in third place. Defending champion UW-Superior led the way with 48 points and six first-place votes. Bethany Lutheran received the other two first-place votes and came in at 44 points. Crown rounded out the top four with 30 points.

Northwestern will open its season at 3:30 PM on Friday, August 30th at Bethel University. The first home action of the season for the Eagles will be at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 3rd against Augsburg University.

2024 UMAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. UW-Superior | 48 (6)
2. Bethany Lutheran | 44 (2)
3. Northwestern | 33
4. Crown | 30
5. North Central | 25
6. Northland | 21
7. Minnesota Morris | 14
8. Martin Luther | 9