AUGUSTA, Ga.– The Flagler College men's soccer team has been slated to finish fourth according to the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, released by league officials Thursday. Sophomore
Marc Birkelund represented the Saints on the All-Conference Preseason Team.
"We were expected to be ranked in this position based on last year's results, however, we are very confident and optimistic heading into this season that we can place higher than where we have been ranked," said Interim Head Coach
Thomas Coombes. "I have full confidence and trust in this group and believe with the talent we have, it will be a very exciting season for us!"
The Saints capped the 2021 season with a 10-8 overall record while finishing tied for third in the Peach Belt, going 7-5 in conference play. Flagler advanced to the PBC Semifinal but fell to No. 1 seeded Young Harris College, 4-0, to close out the fall. Young Harris is the Peach Belt's regular-season and tournament defending champions, going 18-0-2 in 2021 and finishing 11-0-1 in the PBC.
Coombes enters his first season under the helm of the men's soccer program after having served as the assistant coach the previous two seasons. Coombes adds 12 newcomers, including nine freshmen and three transfers, to a roster of 18 returners.
Birkelund earned All-PBC first-team honors in his first season with the Saints. The Højslev, Denmark native appeared in all 18 games, making 17 starts as he scored a team-second best six goals and ranked third on the team in assists (five) over 1,406 minutes played. Birkelund netted a hat trick against the University of North Georgia (Oct. 2).
"Marc has been brilliant since he joined us last year and a big part of our team. He is a very driven individual, and I am pleased he is being recognized as a top player within our conference. I am confident that he and a number of other players will have a great season."
Flagler opens the regular season schedule on Aug. 25 at Newberry College in Newberry, S.C. at 7 p.m. The home opener is Sept. 7 against Georgia Southwestern State University at 7 p.m. on Saints Field.
2022 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Institution |
Points (First Place) |
| 1 |
Lander |
33 (3) |
| 2 |
Young Harris |
32 (4) |
| 3 |
Clayton State |
25 |
| 4 |
FLAGLER |
22 |
| 5 |
North Georgia |
15 |
| 6 |
Georgia Southwestern |
13 |
| 7 |
USC Aiken |
7 |
Preseason All-Conference Team
Harry Bircumshaw, Lander
Marc Birkelund, Flagler
Langston Blackstock, Clayton State
Mikkel Goling, Young Harris
Marco Gueli, Lander
Alexis Iturria, Clayton State
Saad Maziane, Young Harris
Vic Delgado Miller, Clayton State
Max McNulty, Lander
Geo Rios, Clayton State
Quinn Thompson, Young Harris
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