Coaches tab USF in men’s soccer

San Francisco was selected as the preseason favorite to capture its third straight West Coast Conference men’s soccer title, edging out Bay Area rival Santa Clara for the first-place spot in the 2006 WCC preseason coaches poll, released Tuesday.

Gonzaga checked in at No. 7 in the preseason poll despite the return of junior forward George Josten, who led the WCC with 12 goals last season. Einar Thorarinsson was tabbed for WCC Co-Coach of the Year accolades after leading the Zags to a 7-9-4 finish in 2005.

The Dons and the Broncos each received three first-place votes, but USF received 32 overall points, while SCU tallied 31.

San Diego received the remaining first-place vote and was picked to finish third with 28 points.

Loyola Marymount garnered 23 points to snag the No. 4 spot.

Portland and Saint Mary’s tied for fifth in the poll with 12 points apiece, and Gonzaga rounded out the poll with nine points.