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(PRINCETON, W.Va.)---If the annual preseason coaches' poll is any indication, the 2009 WVIAC men's soccer race could be a wide-open affair. Alderson-Broaddus and West Virginia Wesleyan share the top position in the poll, but a pack of other contenders are expected to be on the heels of the Battlers and Bobcats.

A-B and WVWC each notched three first place nods in the voting, while third place Davis & Elkins grabbed a pair of picks for the top spot. Wheeling Jesuit is fourth and fifth place Ohio Valley garnered the final first place vote. Charleston, Seton Hill, Pitt Johnstown, Shepherd, and Concord round out the sixth through tenth positions. Salem International is not eligible for the 2009 WVIAC men's soccer championship.

Alderson-Broaddus (11-9-1, 7-2-1) saved their best efforts for late in the 2008 campaign as the Battlers posted victories over rivals Davis & Elkins and West Virginia Wesleyan to claim a WVIAC Tournament crown. Midfielder Chris Doran was last season's WVIAC Freshman of the Year. Head coach Ned Kelly's club should continue to be strong in the midfield with the return of senior Mike Wilson and junior Kevin Lake. Neil Wright-Elliot posted a 1.46 goals against mark in 2008.

West Virginia Wesleyan (11-8-2, 7-1-2) captured the WVIAC regular season title for the 18th time in the tradition-rich program's history last season. Head coach Gavin Donaldson's crew must replace three first team All-WVIAC picks, but should remain in contention. Andrew Baldasare, who notched a 0.78 goals against average to earn first team All-WVIAC honors in 2007, is back in goal. Senior defender Abe Levin-Nielsen was a third team all-region pick a year ago.

A familiar face will be on the sidelines at Davis & Elkins (12-7-3, 6-2-2) as Dr. Greg Myers begins his second stint at D&E. Myers led the Senators to NAIA national titles in 1968 and 1970 before moving to the professional ranks and a long tenure at Division I Navy. Senior midfielder Parker Kwafo, a first team All-WVIAC honoree, leads the Senators. Seniors James Kpainay and Brett Keatley look to forge the foundation for a strong defense corps.

Wheeling Jesuit (9-10-1, 6-4) saw seven seniors graduate and also suffered the transfer of all-conference defender Gary Newson. Juniors Eliot Smith (1.68 gaa) and Nik Balzer (team-high 7 goals) will pace veteran head coach Jim Regan's Cardinals in 2009.

Ohio Valley (9-8-4, 5-4-1) enjoyed the program's most successful season as an NCAA member in 2008 and head coach Dan Lyons has high hopes for this edition of the Figthting Scots with seven returning starters. Junior Roberto Jofra notched seven goals and four assists last season to earn second team All-WVIAC honors, as did forward Nick Pecarski. Goalkeeper Spencer Widlicka posted four shutouts during league play.

Charleston (4-11-2, 3-5-2) showed signs of life during 2008 after the once-proud program fell on hard times that included a 33-match winless streak. Second-year head coach Chad Duernberger welcomes back nine regulars, including leading scorer Dion Peters (7 goals, 6 assists).

Seton Hill (9-9-2, 4-5-1) looks to climb into the league's top half behind nine returning starters. Seniors Garrett Fishaw (M), Mike Oliver (F), and Mike Pistenis (D) provide head coach Dan McCarty with an experienced foundation.

Pitt Johnstown (10-9-1, 5-4-1) has reached the WVIAC Tournament semifinals in the past two seasons, but Eric Kinsey's Mountain Cats was bitten by the graduation bug with six departed starters. Goalkeeper Craig Neff whitewashed eight foes last fall and will lead a young squad that includes thirteen newcomers.

Shepherd (8-8, 5-5) will rely on all-region selection Jeffers Frazier, who ranked fourth in the WVIAC last season with nine goals. Defender Jeff Sandusky, who grabbed honorable mention All-WVIAC honors in 2008, is among five returning starters for head coach Johnathan Thayil.

Concord (5-12, 2-8) should still remain among the league's youngest squads as the Mountain Lions enter year two of the program's rebirth. Junior forward Varney Vincent was an honorable mention All-WVIAC pick a year ago.

Salem International (0-11, 0-10) hopes to break into the win column behind talented goalkeeper Leonardo Tillemont. Zac Shepherd and Michael Velasquez are among the other top returnees for the Tigers.

The WVIAC men's soccer regular season kicks off with four schools in action on Thursday, August 27. The top six squads in the final conference standings will qualify for the November 3-7 WVIAC Tournament that is contested on the home pitches of highest seeds.

The complete 2009 WVIAC men's coaches' preseason poll follows:

Pos.	School (1st place votes)	2008 W-L	Pts.
t1.	Alderson-Broaddus (3)	11-9-1, 7-2-1	79
t1.	West Virginia Wesleyan (3)	11-8-2, 7-1-2	79
3.	Davis & Elkins (2)	12-7-3, 6-2-2	73
4.	Wheeling Jesuit	9-10-1, 6-4	56
5.	Ohio Valley (1)	9-8-4, 5-4-1	47
6.	Charleston	4-11-2, 3-5-2	41
7.	Seton Hill	9-9-2, 4-5-1	36
8.	Pitt Johnstown	10-9-1, 5-4-1	32
9.	Shepherd	8-8, 5-5	29
10.	Concord	5-12, 2-8	23

Note: Salem International is not eligible for the 2009 WVIAC men's soccer title.