UCI men picked 3rd

The UC Irvine men’s soccer team has been picked to finish third in a Big West Conference coaches’ preseason poll.

The Anteaters, who received one of six first-place votes, totaled 27 points, trailing UC Santa Barbara (33) and Cal State Northridge (29).

The Anteaters return two of the top three goal scorers in the Big West in Anthony Hamilton (13) and Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year Brad Evans (11). Both, as well as returning defender Cameron Dunn, were first-team all-conference performers last season.

UCI also has eight starters and 20 lettermen returning from a team that went 7-2-1 in the Big West.

UC Riverside (14 points), Cal State Fullerton (12) and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (11) round out the poll.