Oakland Voted 2021 #HLMSOC Favorite
INDIANAPOLIS – The Oakland Golden Grizzlies were voted the favorite to win the 2021 Horizon League Championship in this season’s #HLMSOC Preseason Poll, as voted on by the League’s 11 head coaches. Oakland captured seven first-place votes and totaled 113 points.
The Golden Grizzlies were voted preseason co-favorites for the spring 2021 season and finished with a record of 6-1-2; however, they were unable to compete in the championship due to COVID-related matters. Last season’s Horizon League Men’s Soccer Player of the Year, Noah Jensen, and Offensive Player of the Year, Dylan Borczak, return to Oakland’s lineup. The Golden Grizzlies bring back five All-League members from last season.
Milwaukee took second in the preseason poll earning 102 points and one first-place vote following a tournament championship last season. The third-seeded Panthers defeated top-seeded Northern Kentucky in the championship match before falling to St. Francis Brooklyn in the first round of NCAA tournament. The Panthers return the reigning Horizon League Men’s Soccer Freshman of the Year, Logan Farrington, and the MVP of the 2020 Horizon League Men’s Soccer Tournament, Paolo Gratton.
The UIC Flames (93 points) were picked third in the poll with one first-place vote following a 6-3-1 season in 2020. The Flames return Jacob Graiber, two-time Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year, and All-Horizon League First Team selection Jose Perez Flores. Last season, Graiber became the fourth player in #HLMSOC history to claim back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Finishing fourth in the preseason poll is the Norse of Northern Kentucky, accumulating 87 points and two first-place votes. Reigning Horizon League Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year, Stu Riddle, led the Norse to a 7-2 record and regular season championship. NKU returns Daniel Bermingham, last season’s Goalkeeper of the Year, and All-League selections Dylan Blufton (First-Team) and Ryan Godding (Second-Team).
Wright State took the fifth spot (82 points) in the preseason poll. Joe Kouaido, All-League Second Team member, and Chris Geddis, All-Freshman Team selection, return to the Raiders roster. The Cleveland State Vikings were picked sixth in the preseason poll after tallying 71 points. Four All-League Second Team selections return for the Vikings.
Green Bay (58 points) was voted seventh and brings back All-Freshman honoree Ruben Linden. The Titans of Detroit Mercy finished in eighth with 40 points and return All-Freshman Samory Powder. Purdue Fort Wayne (36 points), RMU (26 points) and IUPUI (18 points) round out the final spots in the 2021 #HLMSOC Preseason Poll.
2021 #HLMSOC Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
- Oakland – 113 (7)
- Milwaukee – 102 (1)
- UIC – 93 (1)
- Northern Kentucky – 87 (2)
- Wright State - 82
- Cleveland State - 71
- Green Bay - 58
- Detroit Mercy - 40
- Purdue Fort Wayne - 36
- RMU - 26
- IUPUI – 18