ATLANTA, GA (August 28, 2023) - Covenant has been chosen as the favorite to win the 2023 Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Men’s Soccer Championship following a vote of the league’s seven head coaches, announced by the league on Monday.
 
With an impressive tally of 37 points to their name, the Scots have earned their distinction as the CCS frontrunners. Fresh off a conference title last season, Covenant Men's Soccer continued their triumphant success wrapping up with an outstanding overall record of 13-4-6. Even as the regular season concluded, the Scots' journey was far from over. Earning their place in postseason play, they showcased their mettle in NCCAA Regionals, prevailing over challenges posed by Oakland City and Campbellsville. This victory led to the prestigious title of NCCAA Mid-East Regional Champions and a well-deserved spot in the NCCAA National Tournament. Their impressive accomplishments last season included a conference championship title, a regional championship title, the recognition of one All-Region standout, a recipient of a major conference award, and an impressive tally of six players named to CCS All-Conference.
 
A worthy contender, LaGrange College, the runner-up in the 2022 CCS Men's Soccer Championship, secured the second slot in the much-anticipated preseason poll with a commendable 35 points. Their remarkable achievements from the previous season, including the program's first-ever regular-season crown with a 10-4-2 overall record and an impressive 4-0-2 standing in conference play, have garnered well-deserved attention. This feat marked their first time reaching double-digit wins since 2018, catapulting them close to the top of the poll.
 
Maryville is poised to make their presence felt, securing the third position with 29 points. Their determination was evident in 2022 as they solidified an overall record of 5-8-5, accompanied by a conference mark of 4-1-1. While their journey saw them make it to the conference semifinals, the Scots faced a narrow defeat at the hands of No. 2 seed Covenant, with a final score of 3-2. The 2023 season welcomes a lineup enriched with both experienced players and fresh talents, promising an invigorating performance on both offensive and defensive fronts.
 
Claiming the fourth spot in this year's preseason poll, Belhaven has its sights set on the championship with a total of 19 points. A notable 2022 season saw them wrap up with a 6-7-5 record, accompanied by an all-conference selection.
 
Piedmont, following a season of tenacity, has secured the fifth slot with 16 points. Their strong showing in the 2022 regular season resulted in three of their members being honored with spots on the CCS’s all-conference team, including Bobby Wood, Jarrett Scott, and Colin Vogel, all of whom earned second-team honors.
 
Berea's ascent is unmistakable as they lock in the sixth position, reflecting their upward trajectory from the previous year's preseason poll. Concluding the regular season play with a praiseworthy 9-7-3 overall record and a 2-3-1 conference mark in the inaugural season, the Mountaineers' resilience has not gone unnoticed. At the conclusion of the season, Berea honored three Mountaineers in the 2022 CCS Men’s Soccer All-Conference Team.
 
In a journey of resurgence, Huntingdon rounds off this year's preseason poll at the esteemed seventh position.
 
The 2023 CCS men’s soccer conference play officially begins on Saturday, Sept. 23.
 
The 2023 CCS Men’s Soccer Championship opens on Saturday, October 28 and is capped by the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 4, hosted by the highest seeded team.
 
A look at the 2023 CCS Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Preseason Poll:
 
2023 CCS MEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Covenant	27 points
LaGrange	26 points
Maryville	23 points
Belhaven	19 points
Piedmont	16 points
Berea	8 points
Huntingdon	7 points

ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine members institutions (Agnes Scott College, Berea College, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
 
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