Alex Caskey (L) and Greg Macnamara (R)
Caskey, Macnamara Named Preseason All-SoCon; ‘Cats Picked Fifth in SoCon
8/30/2010 1:27:51 PM | Men's Soccer
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Davidson men's soccer co-captains Alex Caskey and Greg Macnamara were both elected to the 2010 All-Southern Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Team, while the Wildcats, receiving one first-place vote, were picked to finish fifth in the conference standings, as selected by the league's coaches and announced by the conference office Monday.
Caskey, a senior midfielder and the Wildcats' top playmaker, was elected to the All-SoCon first team following the last two seasons. The Dunwoody, Ga. native enjoyed his best offensive season to date in 2009, scoring seven goals and two assists to rank among the conference leaders in scoring.
“Alex continues to parade in the other coaches' minds as a lethal, game-changing midfielder,” said head coach Matt Spear. “He has all the abilities to lead this team to the top.”
Macnamara, a junior defender, receives his first all-conference honor since being named to the 2008 SoCon All-Freshman team. The Arlington, Va. native moved solidly into Davidson's starting lineup last season and anchored the backline.
“It is wonderful that the other coaches see Greg as an emerging leader not just in our program, but also as a premier central defender in relation to our peers,” said Spear.
The league's coaches picked Davidson to match their 2009 performance and place fifth in the 2010 standings, although one voter picked the Wildcats to take the conference crown. The 'Cats return their entire starting lineup with the notable exception of SoCon Player of the Year Charlie Reiter, who graduated and signed with the Richmond Kickers. Davidson was ranked as high as No. 21 by Soccer America last season following a 9-1 start that included wins over No. 25 South Carolina and No. 6 Duke.
“The preseason rankings often focus on how things finished the prior season, so our ranking is consistent with that theme,” said Spear. “We are very determined and confident that we can move up the SoCon ranks and compete for the regular season championship, conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament berth.”
The Wildcats wrapped up the exhibition season with a pair of wins. On Aug. 21, the 'Cats defeated NC State, a team receiving votes for the NSCAA Preseason Top 25 poll, 1-0, with junior Mark Millard notching the game winner. Senior Yannick Pilgrim, who ranked third in scoring in the SoCon last season, then scored twice to lead Davidson to a 3-1 win over Pfeiffer on Aug. 25.
College of Charleston was tabbed the preseason favorite to win the league crown. CofC picked up five of eight first-place votes and 47 points overall. Elon was tabbed to finish second, collecting 40 points and a first-place nod. Furman (34 points) comes in at third place in the balloting while bringing in a first-place vote. Wofford won the 2009 regular season and tournament crowns and has been predicted to finish fourth this season.
Davidson (25) grabbed the final first-place vote and landed in the fifth spot, followed by UNCG (21), Appalachian State (19) and Georgia Southern (8).
Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team or players in the balloting.
The 2010 SoCon Men's Soccer Championship will feature the all eight teams with the final four facing off in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. on Nov. 12 and 14.
Davidson opens the 2010 season Friday when Alumni Stadium hosts the Davidson adidas Classic. Appalachian State and Bowling Green will kickoff at 5:00 p.m. before the 'Cats challenge Marist at 7:15 p.m. The tournament will conclude Sunday with Davidson and Bowling Green meeting at 1 p.m., followed by Appalachain State and Marist.
2010 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. College of Charleston (5) 47
2. Elon (1), 40
3. Furman (1), 34
4. Wofford, 30
5. Davidson (1), 25
6. UNCG, 21
7. Appalachian State, 19
8. Georgia Southern, 8
() denotes first-place votes
2010 Men's Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team
F Chris Thomas, Elon
F Kentrel Owens, Wofford
F Wilson Hood, Wofford
F Kareem Yearwood, College of Charleston
MF Alex Caskey, Davidson
MF Brad Franks, Elon
MF Andrew Eppelsheimer, Wofford
D Sean Flatley, College of Charleston
D Will Mack, UNCG
D Greg Macnamara, Davidson
GK Clint Irwin, Elon
Caskey, a senior midfielder and the Wildcats' top playmaker, was elected to the All-SoCon first team following the last two seasons. The Dunwoody, Ga. native enjoyed his best offensive season to date in 2009, scoring seven goals and two assists to rank among the conference leaders in scoring.
“Alex continues to parade in the other coaches' minds as a lethal, game-changing midfielder,” said head coach Matt Spear. “He has all the abilities to lead this team to the top.”
Macnamara, a junior defender, receives his first all-conference honor since being named to the 2008 SoCon All-Freshman team. The Arlington, Va. native moved solidly into Davidson's starting lineup last season and anchored the backline.
“It is wonderful that the other coaches see Greg as an emerging leader not just in our program, but also as a premier central defender in relation to our peers,” said Spear.
The league's coaches picked Davidson to match their 2009 performance and place fifth in the 2010 standings, although one voter picked the Wildcats to take the conference crown. The 'Cats return their entire starting lineup with the notable exception of SoCon Player of the Year Charlie Reiter, who graduated and signed with the Richmond Kickers. Davidson was ranked as high as No. 21 by Soccer America last season following a 9-1 start that included wins over No. 25 South Carolina and No. 6 Duke.
“The preseason rankings often focus on how things finished the prior season, so our ranking is consistent with that theme,” said Spear. “We are very determined and confident that we can move up the SoCon ranks and compete for the regular season championship, conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament berth.”
The Wildcats wrapped up the exhibition season with a pair of wins. On Aug. 21, the 'Cats defeated NC State, a team receiving votes for the NSCAA Preseason Top 25 poll, 1-0, with junior Mark Millard notching the game winner. Senior Yannick Pilgrim, who ranked third in scoring in the SoCon last season, then scored twice to lead Davidson to a 3-1 win over Pfeiffer on Aug. 25.
College of Charleston was tabbed the preseason favorite to win the league crown. CofC picked up five of eight first-place votes and 47 points overall. Elon was tabbed to finish second, collecting 40 points and a first-place nod. Furman (34 points) comes in at third place in the balloting while bringing in a first-place vote. Wofford won the 2009 regular season and tournament crowns and has been predicted to finish fourth this season.
Davidson (25) grabbed the final first-place vote and landed in the fifth spot, followed by UNCG (21), Appalachian State (19) and Georgia Southern (8).
Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team or players in the balloting.
The 2010 SoCon Men's Soccer Championship will feature the all eight teams with the final four facing off in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. on Nov. 12 and 14.
Davidson opens the 2010 season Friday when Alumni Stadium hosts the Davidson adidas Classic. Appalachian State and Bowling Green will kickoff at 5:00 p.m. before the 'Cats challenge Marist at 7:15 p.m. The tournament will conclude Sunday with Davidson and Bowling Green meeting at 1 p.m., followed by Appalachain State and Marist.
2010 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. College of Charleston (5) 47
2. Elon (1), 40
3. Furman (1), 34
4. Wofford, 30
5. Davidson (1), 25
6. UNCG, 21
7. Appalachian State, 19
8. Georgia Southern, 8
() denotes first-place votes
2010 Men's Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team
F Chris Thomas, Elon
F Kentrel Owens, Wofford
F Wilson Hood, Wofford
F Kareem Yearwood, College of Charleston
MF Alex Caskey, Davidson
MF Brad Franks, Elon
MF Andrew Eppelsheimer, Wofford
D Sean Flatley, College of Charleston
D Will Mack, UNCG
D Greg Macnamara, Davidson
GK Clint Irwin, Elon
FY26 Men's Soccer Preseason Virtual Meeting
Friday, August 15
FY25 Men's Soccer Davidson United Conversation
Wednesday, June 04
2024 Davidson Men's Soccer Highlights
Tuesday, May 13
Davidson Men’s Soccer – March 2023 Virtual Alumni Gathering
Tuesday, March 14
