Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Preseason Teams in PDF Format

PHILADELPHIA - The University of Dayton men's soccer squad, the reigning Atlantic 10 Tournament Champions, had six players named to the 2009 Preseason All-Conference Teams, as selected by the league's head coaches.

The Flyer men's and women's soccer teams combined for a league-high 11 preseason selections, compared to just two last season (one for each).

UD led the way with a league-high three named to the Preseason Men's Soccer All-Conference Team. Seniors Alex Torda (Dallas) and Ryan Handbury (Nottingham, England), along with sophomore Jack Pearson (Coventry, England), were on the 11-player A-10 Preseason Team.

The UD incoming freshman class also made a splash as three players earned a spot on the conference's Preseason All-Rookie Team: Ryan Bauer (O'Fallon, Mo.), Evan McCreary (Canton, Ohio) and Sewell Strifler (Plano, Texas).

The Flyers tied with Saint Louis for the most players with six named to the Preseason All-Conference and All-Rookie Teams.

"The Conference has shown us a great deal of respect. Torda, Handbury and Pearson all played vital roles in our run to the A-10 Tournament Championship," said UD head men's soccer coach Dennis Currier. "It is also great to see our freshmen class get recognition. We feel they have the ability to step in and make an impact. The bar is set very high now and we must continue to work hard to meet the expectations."

Torda enters his senior season as one of the most decorated players, athletically and academically, in Flyer men's soccer history. He became the first UD player to ever be named a Hermann Trophy candidate and has been the Flyers' leading scorer the past two seasons. Torda, who has tallied 18 career goals, is a two-time All-Atlantic 10 selection, including a First Team pick in 2007. In addition, he was named to the prestigious NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-America Team in 2008.

Handbury is the anchor of UD's defense that posted eight shutouts in 2008, including the 1-0 shutout of UMass in the A-10 tournament final, in which he earned All-Championship honors. He has played every minute of every game the last two seasons and has twice been named Atlantic 10 Honorable Mention. He is also a two-time NSCAA/adidas All-Mid Atlantic Region Third Team pick.

Pearson fit right into the Dayton defensive scheme his freshman year and earned the UD's Defensive Player of the Year award. He also was named to the 2008 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team and selected as a Third Team Freshman All-American by College Soccer News. He also provided a boost for Dayton's offense, scoring four goals, including three game-winners.

Bauer, McCreary and Strifler are part of a stellar Flyer recruiting class that includes eight players.

Bauer was named Second Team All-State and All-Metro after captaining Chaminade to the 2008 Class 3 District Championship. He has played for Scott Gallaher U.S. Development Academy Team since 2007 and was named Starting XI in Midwest Region by U.S. Soccer. In addition he is ranked the 14th Top Recruit for the National Class of 2009 by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

McCreary was named District Player of the Year, First Team All-Region and All-Ohio his senior season at Massillon Jackson after leading the squad to a 17-1-2 record. He played for the Everest FC that was a 2008 National Championship finalist.

Strifler is a high-goal scoring threat for Dallas Jesuit College Prep, ranked the No. 7 Boys Team in the nation by ESPN Rise Magazine. He led Andromeda SC to the U17 USYS National Championship and was named the No. 7 Top Recruit out of Texas by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Dayton, ranked No. 18 in the College Soccer News Preseason National Poll, is coming off one of its best seasons in history, posting a school-best 15-4-3 record and advancing to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.

UD will open the 2009 season with two exhibition matches; at Butler on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 5 p.m. ET and at Kentucky on Monday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. ET.