PITMAN--After earning an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament en route to a 16-6-1 overall record in 2008, Richard Stockton College has been selected as the 2009 preseason men's soccer favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Ospreys, who finished second in the NJAC last season with a 7-2-0 league mark, are seeking their sixth conference crown since 1996.

Richard Stockton was selected to finish first on four-of-the-ten ballots cast by the league head coaches. Under the direction of 12th-year head coach Jeff Haines, the Ospreys have posted an overall record of 184-58-17. Stockton returns four all-conference players from its 2008 NCAA squad including junior forward Rafael Duarte, senior forward Sean McCallum, senior midfielder Pat Tolomeo, and the reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year in sophomore back Brennen Fitzsimmons.

Montclair State University, which captured its third consecutive NJAC Championship in 2008, was selected to finish second and received four first-place votes. The Red Hawks posted a school-best 21-1-0 overall record last season, with their only defeat coming at the hands of eventual NCAA Division III National Champion Messiah in the fourth round of the NCAA Tournament. Led by eighth-year head coach Brian Sentowski, the Red Hawks have accumulated an overall mark of 112-26-12. MSU posted a perfect 9-0-0 league record in 2008 and captured its third consecutive NJAC crown with a 1-0 championship match victory over Rutgers-Camden. The Red Hawks return a pair of all-league performers from their 2008 NJAC Championship squad in senior midfielder Joseph Cullen and junior back Mike Krol. 

Rutgers University-Camden, which earned an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament after finishing 16-5-2 overall in 2008, was selected to place third and received one first place vote. The Scarlet Raptors posted a 6-2-1 mark in conference for a third place finish, and advanced to the NJAC Championship Match before falling to eventual champion Montclair State, 1-0. Under the leadership of fourth-year head coach Tim Oswald, Rutgers-Camden has produced an overall record of 42-16-11. The Scarlet Raptors return a pair of all-conference players from their 2008 NJAC runner-up squad in junior midfielder Shane McGrory and senior back Chase Komer. 

William Paterson University, which captured the championship of the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament via penalty kicks over league rival Rutgers-Newark en route to a 13-5-4 overall 2008 record, was selected to finish fourth. Led by 2008 NJAC Coach of the Year Brian Woods, the Pioneers notched a 5-3-1 record in league play, raising Woods’ career victory total to 128 in 17 seasons. William Paterson returns a league-high six all-conference players from its ECAC Championship squad including junior midfielder Julian Valerio, junior back Joe Strawman, junior forward Ambrogio Pipitone, junior back Chris Belan, junior back Matt Heitmann, and senior goalkeeper Dan Peragallo.

Ramapo College, led by sixth-year head coach DJ Pinton, was selected to place fifth. In 2008, the Roadrunners finished 7-10-2 overall. Under Pinton’s leadership, Ramapo has posted a 55-32-9 overall record. The Roadrunners return one all-conference player from a 2008 squad which placed ninth in the NJAC in junior back Zach Thienert.

The College of New Jersey, which posted a 9-9-2 overall record in 2008, was selected to place sixth. Under the direction of 15th-year head coach George Nazario, the Lions have accumulated an overall record of 152-97-25. TCNJ returns four all-conference players from a 2008 squad which finished fifth in the conference, including senior forward Kevin Luber, senior midfielder Anthony Staropoli, junior back Phil Cunha, and senior back Adam Dorflinger.

Rutgers-Newark, which played William Paterson to a draw in the championship match of the 2008 ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament before falling in penalties, was selected to place seventh and was tapped by the coaches as the league dark horse. Under the direction of third-year head coach Kevin East, the Scarlet Raiders have posted a mark of 19-19-3, improving East’s career head coaching record to 142-85-14. Rutgers-Newark returns a pair of all-league players from a 2008 squad which finished 10-8-2 overall in junior midfielder Estiven Benitez and senior back Luis Valle.

Rowan University, under the leadership of 34th-year head coach Dan Gilmore, was selected to place eighth. The Profs have notched an overall record of 509-143-49 under Gilmore, including a record of 7-9-3 in 2008. Rowan returns a pair of 2008 all-conference players in junior back Randy Kohr and sophomore back Zack Zahrend.

New Jersey City University, led by new head coach Nansha Kalonji, was selected to place ninth and received one first-place vote. Kalonji, who previously served a stint as head coach at Rutgers-Newark, inherits a team that posted an 11-5-4 overall record in 2008 while advancing to the semifinals of the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament. The Gothic Knights return one all-conference player from 2008 in junior midfielder Eduardo Tejada.

Kean University, under the leadership of 34th-year head coach Tony Ochrimenko, was selected to place 10th. The Cougars have produced a 423-201-45 overall record under Ochrimenko, including a mark of 7-12-1 in 2008. Kean returns a pair of all-league performers from its 2008 squad including junior goalkeeper Alfredo Oquendo and sophomore forward Andres Berriel.

The 51st season of NJAC men's soccer will kickoff on Tuesday, September 1 with eight league teams in non-conference action. Conference play will begin on Saturday, September 19. The top six regular season finishers will advance to the NJAC Championship Tournament which will begin with first round action on Saturday, October 31. The NJAC Tournament semifinals will be conducted on Wednesday, November 4, and the league championship match will be played at the site of the highest remaining seed on Saturday, November 7. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.
 

2009 NJAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1.	Richard Stockton (4)
2.	Montclair State (4)
3.	Rutgers-Camden (1)
4.	William Paterson
5.	Ramapo
6.	The College of New Jersey
7.	Rutgers-Newark (dark horse)
8.	Rowan
9.	New Jersey City
10.	Kean
First Place Votes In Parentheses