By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA - The Bulls were predicted to post a Red Division runner-up finish in the Big East Preseason Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll.
Head coach George Kiefer's squad received five first-place votes and collected 90 points. St. John's got six first-place votes and was selected as the Red Division favorite with 94 points.
USF captured the Red Division regular season title in 2011 with a 7-0-2 record in league play on the way to making a trip to the Elite Eight. Senior back Brenton Griffiths played a big role on that team and has been rewarded as a Preseason All-Big East Team selection.
Here is a look at the complete Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll along with all of the conference's preseason awards:
2012 BIG EAST MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
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2012 BIG EAST PRESEASON AWARD WINNERS
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Mamadou Doudou Diouf, Connecticut, F, Jr.
Preseason Co-Defensive Players of the Year
Andrew Farrell, Louisville, B, Jr.
Jimmy Nealis, Georgetown, B, Sr.
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
*Andre Blake, Connecticut, GK, So.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team^
Andre Blake, Connecticut, GK, So.
Carlos Alvarez, Connecticut, M, Sr.
*Mamadou Diouf, Connecticut, F, Jr.
Antonio Aguilar, DePaul, M, Sr.
Ian Christianson, Georgetown, M, Sr.
*Steve Neumann, Georgetown, F, Jr.
Jimmy Nealis, Georgetown, B, Sr.
Andrew Farrell, Louisville, B, Jr.
C. Nortey, Marquette, F, So.
Dillon Powers, Notre Dame, M, Sr.
Ryan Finley, Notre Dame, F, Sr.
Marc Cintron, Providence, M, Sr.
Jack Bennett, St. John's, M, Sr.
Tim Parker, St. John's, B, So.
Brenton Griffiths, USF, B, Sr.
*unanimous selection
^ extra member added due to voting ties
