BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After what Lee University men's soccer Coach Derek Potteiger termed a "disappointing 2023 season (8-6-4, 5-4-2)," his Flames are predicted to finish in a fifth-place tie with Christian Brothers University in the 2024 Gulf South Conference Coaches Preseason Poll.
The University of West Florida received nine first place votes and 117 points in earning the top position. Mississippi College followed with three votes for No.1 and 113 points. the University of West Alabama and Auburn University Montgomery were picked ahead of Lee and Christian Brothers. Trevecca Nazarene University, the new addition to the GSC this year, was listed 11th.
"I say this every year and I think most coaches agree, whether you are voted in preseason at the top, the bottom, or the middle, it only matters where you end up," said Coach Potteiger. "Part of the votes reflect on the performances from the previous year, and we know we were not at our best last year. We have some work to do to show what we are capable of doing this year in the GSC."
The Coach added, "No game is going to be easy this season and the margins between winning and losing are so slim. It will be up to us to make sure we execute things that are necessary to make the difference in these games."
Lee senior Marc Ehmann was selected as a member of the 13-men 2024 Preseason All-GSC Team. Juniors Shay Gillen and Nick Lu joined graduate student Marlon Grossman on the Newcomer Watchlist.
Stressed Potteiger, "We think we have a good group of players this year and one of the key returners will be Ehmann. Marc is not only a very good player, but also a great teammate. We do have a number of new faces this year. The key will be whether we can keep improving and peak at the right time of the year."
The Flames lost five starters from last year's squad, "But the good news is having all the front-line attacking players returning along with the other players we brought in that hopefully will help us be a little more potent in the attack," Potteiger added.
The Coach also quickly pointed out, "We know how important defending is in the GSC and it will be a priority for us to make sure we are ready in the back this season. We also lost a couple of midfielders; we are looking forward to seeing other guys step up in those roles.
In breaking down the returners the coach said, "As I mentioned we lost five starters from last year but bring back the other five or six and are excited about those players and the experience they gained. "We have two top goalkeepers returning in Jake Burkuhl and Josh Garvilla. Matias Milla Munoz and Ehmann are back in our midfield and will be important players for us. Both Marcos Garcia and Ryan Chouyouti are returning from the front line. Those players and their experience will be important, but we will also be relying on our incoming players as well."
Lee fans will see a lot of new faces all over the field, according to Potteiger. "We are excited about the group that is coming in. We feel like the new players are a healthy balance of transfers with great experience and younger players with some great pedigree and high-level experience already under their belt. The task will be to see how they fit and get them all playing together as a group as fast as possible."
Potteiger said, "When there is a disappointing season, the first place I need to look is at myself. I must do better this year as the responsibility always starts with me and I should be carrying the heaviest load. The moment the season ended last year, I immediately began building for this year and the first changes and improvements were within my responsibilities as the coach and leader. This team is hungry and ready to hopefully make 2024 a different narrative. As a collective group we are looking forward to this season and the opportunity that sits in front of us. We still have lots of things to accomplish and areas we need to improve this preseason, but we will be ready for Sept 5th!"
The Coach took time for an overall look at the 2024 GSC competition. "I thought last year was the best the conference had been in terms of parity from top to bottom and I don't expect that to change this year. "I think we all know any team can win and any team can be beaten on any given day and there will be no easy games this year. I think the other big key will be who improves throughout the season the most, not necessarily who looks the best on the opening weekend of GSC play."
2024 GSC Men's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll
First-place votes in parentheses ( )
1. West Florida (9) – 117 points
2. Mississippi College (3) – 113 points
3. West Alabama – 89 points
4. Auburn Montgomery – 88 points
t5. Christian Brothers – 80 points
t5. Lee – 80 points
7. Alabama Huntsville – 63 points
8. Delta State – 49 points
9. Montevallo – 40 points
10. Spring Hill – 29 points
11. Trevecca Nazarene – 27 points
12. Union – 17 points
2024 Men's Soccer Preseason All-GSC Team
Nicholas Atkinson, F, Sr., Auburn Montgomery#
Adam Hanson, M, Sr., Auburn Montgomery
Logan Roach, D, Gr., Auburn Montgomery
Marc Ehmann, M, Sr., Lee#
Luke Fanstone, D, Sr., Mississippi College#
Cole Turner, GK, R-Jr., Mississippi College#
David Nunez, F, So., West Alabama!
Ellis Williamson, D, Sr., West Alabama*
Keegan Ancelin, F, Sr., West Florida
Josiah Fontenot, F, Sr., West Florida*
Kendrick Hernandez, M, Jr., West Florida
Keegan Lynch, D, Sr., West Florida
Caue Novaes, M, Sr., West Florida#
* 2023 First Team All-GSC
# 2023 Second Team All-GSC
! 2023 GSC Freshman of the Year
