BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Liberty University was picked as the preseason favorite in the inaugural season of Ohio Valley Conference men’s soccer.
The Flames picked up eight of the 16 first-place votes to tally 88 points, which was two points ahead of SIUE (who picked up four first-place votes). Houston Christian (HCU) picked up the other four first-place votes to tally 81 points in being picked third. Lindenwood was picked fourth (62) and followed by UIW (53), Southern Indiana (29), Eastern Illinois (25) and Chicago State (24).
In March 2023, the OVC announced the addition of the men’s soccer, which is the Conference’s 19th sponsored sport.
Four OVC institutions currently field men’s soccer teams: Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood, SIUE and Southern Indiana, while Chicago State, Houston Christian, Liberty and UIW are affiliate programs. Western Illinois, who joined the OVC on July 1, is playing one final year of soccer in the Summit League before becoming the ninth OVC men’s soccer program in 2024.
The top six teams in the standings will qualify for the 2023 OVC Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament, which will take place November 5, 8 & 11 in Edwardsville, Illinois on the campus of SIUE.
2023 OVC Men's Soccer Predicted Order of Finish
1. Liberty (8 first-place votes) - 88 points
2. SIUE (4) - 86
3. HCU (4) - 81
4. Lindenwood - 62
5. UIW - 53
6. Southern Indiana - 29
7. Eastern Illinois - 25
8. Chicago State - 24
Teams voted on by league head coaches and communications directors; teams received 7 points for a first-place votes, 6 for a second-place vote, etc.
2023 OVC Men’s Soccer Players to Watch
Calwayne Allen (CB, Sr., Kingston, Jamaica) - Chicago State
Saw action in 13 games last season, scoring a goal on five shots … One of six CSU players to log more than 1,000 minutes of action during the year … Had two goals and two assists during 2021 season.
Sam Eccles (F, Sr., Sheffield, England) - Eastern Illinois
Started 16 matches in 2022 … Was leading scorer for Panthers with 11 points (5 goals, 1 assist) … Logged 1,024 minutes of action … His 11 points were most by an EIU player since 2014.
D'Alessandro Herrera (MF, So., Houston, Texas) - HCU
In debut season, made 17 starts in 19 contests; one of three players who played in all 19 games … Tied for second on the team with 12 points, third in goals (3) and led squad in assists (6) … Was fifth among Huskies in minutes played (1,225).
Luke Eberle (MF, Sr., Arnold, Maryland) - Liberty
Has seen action in 43 career games … Last season was second on the team in points (14), sharing the team lead with six goals … Tallied 13 shots on goal in 15 games … Started all 16 matches of 2021 season.
Jermaine Mentoor (CB, Jr., Cape Town, South Africa) - Lindenwood
In first season with Lindenwood after transferring from St. Charles Community College … During the 2021-22 season, played in 23 games, scoring four goals (one game-winning) and recording an assist.
Ignacio "Nacho" Abeal Pou (MF/F, Jr., A Coruña, Spain) - SIUE
Appeared in 15 of SIUE’s 16 games a season ago, making five starts … Scored the first goal of the season for the Cougars … Tallied 14 shots during the year.
Nick Faddis (MF/F, Sr., St. Louis, Mo.) - Southern Indiana
One of two players on the USI team to start and play in all 17 matches in 2022 … Led the team in goals (3) and tied for team lead in assists (2) while ranking second in minutes played (1,293).
Fransicso “Paco” Segura (MF/F, Sr. - San Antonio, Texas) - UIW
Appeared in 10 games a season ago, starting three … Finished the year with one goal and one assist in 328 minutes of action.
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