PENN STATE BEHREND TOPS MEN'S SOCCER COACHES PRESEASON POLL

The Penn State Behrend men’s soccer team has been selected by league coaches to finish at the top of league standings in 2023. The Lions will be looking for their first conference title since 2019. Defending back-to-back champion Mount Aloysius College is expected to finish in second place, with Pitt-Greensburg rounding out the top three.

Penn State Behrend junior F Blake Cooper has been named the AMCC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Cooper was an AMCC first team all-conference selection a year ago. He ranked second in the AMCC in points (26) and fourth in goals (10). In conference play, Cooper ranked sixth with four goals and three assists for 11 points. He also played in all 18 games, starting in 16 and netting two game-winning goals. Cooper tallied the lone goal for Behrend in the AMCC Championship.

Behrend senior GK Sam York has been tabbed as the AMCC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. York was named the 2022 AMCC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also an AMCC all-conference first team selection, while also being named to the United Soccer Coaches all-region team. York was tied for second in shutouts (13) and fifth in goals-against average (.45) on the final NCAA men's soccer statistics last season. He tallied 13 shutouts in 22 games and only allowed 10 goals for a .855 save percentage.

The AMCC Championship will be held November 4 at the site of the highest remaining seed, with the winner earning the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Click here for complete men's soccer preseason rankings and players to watch.