PAC preseason coaches' poll - Geneva College
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PAC preseason coaches' poll

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Beaver Falls, PA– The PAC (Presidents’ Athletic Conference) announced its preseason coaches' poll results and players to watch list for all fall sports. Geneva Athletics became full-fledged members of the league in the fall of 2011 and each program has been quick to build on the last three years of experience promising to bring an exciting 2014 athletic season.

Men ‘s soccer leads the way for Geneva as it was voted third (60 points) in the preseason coaches’ poll, with senior goalkeeper Bryan Butler (Millersville, MD/Annapolis Christian) and senior midfielder Jeremy Troutman (Millerstown, PA/Midd-West) as the players to watch. The team finished 2013 with a record of 8-7-4 as Butler competed in 19 games in 2013 with 67 saves and three shut-outs, finishing the season with a 7-7-4 record. Troutman played in 18 games in 2013, setting up six assists and getting five goals of his own.

“It is always nice to be recognized by your peers as one of the stronger teams in the PAC, but in the long run, pre-season polls do not really mean all that much.  The PAC is full of talented players, quality coaches, and strong soccer teams. To end the season on top is truly an accomplishment” said head Coach Gary Dunda.

The men’s cross country team was selected ninth (22 points) in coaches’ pre-season poll. Sophomore Ken Kutcel (Medina, OH/Medina) returns to compete for his second season leading the program after a stellar freshman campaign.

In women’s action, the woman’s cross country team is picked to finish fourth this season (56 points). Leading the team with the caption title is senior Anna (Kluitenberg) Wargo (Pittsburgh, PA / Avonworth) and Rebecca Miller (Spring Grove, PA / Hampton), returning for her second season competing as a Golden Tornado.

On the tennis court Geneva was selected fifth seed among PAC competition (45 points). Selected as Geneva’s players to watch are junior Samantha Jensen (Muskegon, MI / Mona Shores) and sophomore Elizabeth Stewart (Rochester, PA / Rochester). Last year, the tennis team, under the direction of head coach Mandee Craft, reached its highest finish with the league championship in 2013.

Geneva volleyball is heating up the court inside after a third seeded pre-season coaches’ poll selection (80 points). Geneva has seen conference post-season play each of the three years since membership, finishing last season 22-10 (16-2 PAC). Three returners looking to make it Geneva’s fourth straight year into the post season are sophomore Gabrielle Dickson (Brookfield, OH / Kennedy Catholic), junior Rachel Netherland (Aliquippa, PA / Central Valley), and sophomore Olivia Test (Negley, OH / Hartland Christian). Dickson finished last season with 413 digs and Test contributed 131 kills and 46 blocks in her 18 games as a first year Golden Tornado. In addition, Netherland claimed 267 kills, 131 assists, 251 digs, and 56 blocks in 2013.

Co-head Coach Curt Conser said, “Considering we graduated two first team all-conference performers, it is an honor to be considered in the top three. However, with the PAC continuing to get stronger by the season it’s really anyone’s to win. Pre-season polls are fun, but they really don’t mean much. We certainly hope, and expect, to still be in the conversation in November.”

Wrapping up the 2014 PAC preseason polls is the Geneva women’s soccer program, selected as seventh seed with 48 points. The women’s soccer program is eager to get back onto the field after a 6-12 (3-6 PAC) season in 2013. Leading the squad is junior midfielderHeidi Mann (Colorado Springs, CO / Evangelical Christian Academy) who scored six times last season including three game winning goals and she added five assists.

Geneva College invites students to accept the challenge of an academically excellent, Christ-centered education. Offering nearly 40 undergraduate majorsAdult Degree Programs with fully online and campus-based options, and seven graduate degrees, Geneva has programs that place students at the forefront of higher learning. Adhering to the inerrancy of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God’s word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today’s world.

Sep 3, 2014