Defending conference champion and NCAA final four participant Mary Washington has been chosen first in the 2023 Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Preseason Men's Soccer Poll, released on Tuesday.

The Eagles, ranked fourth nationally to open the season, will look to return to the lofty heights that carried the Eagles to the NCAA Final Four last November. Returning consensus All-America forward Josh Kirkland (18 goals, three assists) heads a veteran cast that sees the return of seven starters, including all-region standout Carter Berg (10 goals, five assists), midfielders Jordy Santana, Julian Schmugge, Juan Vargas and Diego Guzman, and defenders Aidan Shell and Nathan Terrell. Junior transfer Freddy Rogers will look to challenge for top goalkeeping honors, and another strong group of newcomers will challenge a deep group of 24 returnees for minutes. Also back after missing last season to injury is veteran midfielder Gabe Francesconi, who started every game in 2021.

The Eagles will open the season on September 1 at home against RPI at 5:00 p.m.