Widener's men's soccer team was picked to finish sixth in the Commonwealth Conference based on a vote by the league's coaches.

Widener brings back a strong defense led by senior Eric Chrencik (Finksburg, MD), one of two players on last year's team to start all 17 contests and the only such returnee.  Defender Colin Koch (Perkasie, PA) is the only other senior and the combination last season helped Widener deal eight shutouts and yield just 21 goals.

Brad Ziegler (Medford, NJ), fellow junior Dan Lorenzet (Forestville, MD) and sophomore DJ DiPaola (Havertown, PA) return after each scored two goals a season ago.

The Pride last season played solidly down the stretch, gaining a result in three of their last five league matches before falling just one game shy of the conference tournament.

Messiah, the defending national champions, was picked to win the conference.

Widener opens its season Wednesday, September 1 at home against Rosemont, beginning at 7:00 pm.

Commonwealth Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1.   Messiah                  49 pts. (7)
2.   Elizabethtown          38 pts. (1)
3.   Arcadia                   37 pts.

4.   Lebanon Valley        32 pts.

5.   Lycoming                25 pts.

6.   Widener                 23 pts.

7.   Albright                   10 pts.

7.   Alvernia                   10 pts.

(first-place votes in parentheses)