DIOP VOTED PRESEASON ATTACKING PLAYER OF THE YEAR, HIGHLANDERS PICKED SECOND
8/6/2019 2:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Radford men's soccer team was selected to finish second in the Big South Preseason Poll but was highlighted by Amadou Macky Diop, who was picked as the Preseason Attacking Player of the Year, announced Tuesday afternoon.
Overall, the 2018 season didn't go quite as planned for the Highlanders. The team posted a 7-9 record but went 5-3 in conference and finished second in the Big South standings. Radford posted a 4-2 record at Cupp Stadium and will look to have the same success with eight home matches on tap in 2019.
Diop, the 2018 Co-Freshman of the Year, was a bright spot for the Highlanders a season ago and returns for his sophomore year as the early favorite to win Attacking Player of the Year. He totaled nine goals last season, ranking second best in the Big South.
The Dakar, Senegal native also ranked top 10 in the conference in shots (2nd), shots per game (2nd), points (1st), points per game (1st), goals per game (1st), assists (6th), assists per game (3rd) and game-winning goals (4th). His high-caliber play led him to become a First Team All-Big South member and earn a spot on the All-Freshman Team.
Radford and Campbell were both tied for second best in the league with 68 points and two first-place votes each in the preseason pll. High Point finished ahead of the two school with 74 points and five first-place votes. Presbyterian (44) and Gardner-Webb (42) round out the top five in the poll.
The Highlanders will open the 2019 regular season on August 30 against former Big South opponent, Liberty at 7 p.m. Fans can check out the Highlanders in two home exhibition matches on August 16 against Louisburg at 5 p.m., and August 18 versus VMI at 4 p.m.
PRESEASON ATTACKING PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Amadou Macky Diop, Radford, F, Soph.
PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Gideon Betz, Campbell, D, Sr.
2019 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Overall, the 2018 season didn't go quite as planned for the Highlanders. The team posted a 7-9 record but went 5-3 in conference and finished second in the Big South standings. Radford posted a 4-2 record at Cupp Stadium and will look to have the same success with eight home matches on tap in 2019.
Diop, the 2018 Co-Freshman of the Year, was a bright spot for the Highlanders a season ago and returns for his sophomore year as the early favorite to win Attacking Player of the Year. He totaled nine goals last season, ranking second best in the Big South.
The Dakar, Senegal native also ranked top 10 in the conference in shots (2nd), shots per game (2nd), points (1st), points per game (1st), goals per game (1st), assists (6th), assists per game (3rd) and game-winning goals (4th). His high-caliber play led him to become a First Team All-Big South member and earn a spot on the All-Freshman Team.
Radford and Campbell were both tied for second best in the league with 68 points and two first-place votes each in the preseason pll. High Point finished ahead of the two school with 74 points and five first-place votes. Presbyterian (44) and Gardner-Webb (42) round out the top five in the poll.
The Highlanders will open the 2019 regular season on August 30 against former Big South opponent, Liberty at 7 p.m. Fans can check out the Highlanders in two home exhibition matches on August 16 against Louisburg at 5 p.m., and August 18 versus VMI at 4 p.m.
PRESEASON ATTACKING PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Amadou Macky Diop, Radford, F, Soph.
PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Gideon Betz, Campbell, D, Sr.
2019 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
| Rank | Team (First-Place Votes) | Points |
| 1 | High Point (5) | 74 |
| T2 | Radford (2) | 68 |
| T2 | Campbell (2) | 68 |
| 4 | Presbyterian | 44 |
| 5 | Gardner-Webb | 42 |
| 6 | Longwood | 32 |
| 7 | Winthrop | 30 |
| 8 | USC Upstate | 26 |
| 9 | UNC Asheville | 21 |
Players Mentioned
F
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