BAY CITY, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State University mens soccer team was selected to finish third in the annual GLIAC coaches poll and recorded the one first-place vote while tallying 10 points. The Cardinals finished tied for second with Northwood (6-3-1) in GLIAC regular season play last season.

The head men’s soccer coaches of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) chose Northwood University to win the league’s championship in preseason balloting.

The league’s five head coaches participated in the balloting, but were not allowed to vote for their team. The first-place team on each ballot received four points, while second received three points, etc.

Northwood earned a total of 14 points and two first-place votes, narrowly edging out GLIAC newcomer, Tiffin University, which also tallied two first-place nods but only 13 total points. The Timberwolves, after finishing tied for second in 2007 GLIAC regular-season play, posted a second-place finish in the league tournament. The Dragons, who played an independent schedule last season, earned a 10-6-1 record, including a 4-2 mark against GLIAC opponents.

Fourth place Ashland University earned seven points in poll, recording just one more point than fifth place University of Findlay. The Eagles and Oilers finished sixth and fifth, respectively, in 2007 league play.

Gannon University claimed the GLIAC’s inaugural men’s soccer postseason tournament in 2007. The Golden Knights, who earned the tournament’s top seed by having the best regular season record, defeated rival Mercyhurst College, 3-2, in overtime, in the semifinals. The No. 2 seed, Northwood, bested No. 3 Saginaw Valley State, 2-1, in the other semifinal match. Gannon then posted a 2-0 win over Northwood in the GLIAC championship match.

The Cardinals had their best season in program history in 2007, finishing with a record of 11-8-1 overall and 6-3-1 in the GLIAC, good for third in the conference and a berth into the GLIAC Conference Tournament.

Four different players were named to All-GLIAC teams, including returning All-GLIAC First Team selection Kevin Fox (Flushing, Mich.). Fox, a junior forward, started all 20 matches last season, posting seven goals and six assists. Senior forward Brent Walker (Owosso, Mich.)tallied seven goals and shared the team lead with Fox recording six assists in 2007. Senior defender Larry Ferreira (London, Ont./Regina Mundi College)led SVSU in minutes last season (1,399) while tallying five goals and three assists.

GLIAC men’s soccer teams open play on Thursday, Aug. 28 with conference play beginning Sunday, Sept. 14. The 2008 GLIAC Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament will be held on Nov. 6 & 8 on the campus of the No. 1 seed.