WESTERVILLE, Ohio — The Marietta College men's soccer team was picked to finish sixth in the Ohio Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, released Monday (August 19) morning by the league office. The Pioneers posted a 6-12-1 record last fall and finished with a 4-5 record in the OAC.

Defending OAC Tournament Champions Ohio Northern is the preseason favorite to win the title in 2024. The Polar Bears earned eight first place votes and 80 total points. Otterbein grabbed one first place vote and 69 total points for second place, edging out John Carroll. The Blue Streaks received the last first place vote and received 67 total points for third place.

Mount Union (60 points) placed fourth and Capital was fifth after receiving 42 points. Marietta trailed closely behind landing in the sixth slot (41 points). The list concluded with Baldwin Wallace (33 points) in seventh, Wilmington (32 points) in eighth, Muskingum (16 points) in ninth, and Heidelberg (10 points) in tenth.

"Honestly this, based on last year's finish, is about what I expected," said Marietta College men's soccer head coach Joe Bergin. "This team has a lot of potential to grow from last years' experience, but at the end of the day, that growth will require us to be competing every day, no 'mailing it in days.' I look forward to getting back on the pitch with the team to see that competitiveness."

Marietta opens the 2024 season at home as they battle Chatham University on Friday, August 30. Scheduled start time is 7 p.m.

The complete poll is below. First place votes are in parenthesis.

OAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Ohio Northern — 80 (8)
2. Otterbein — 69 (1)
3. John Carroll — 67 (1)
4. Mount Union — 60
5. Capital — 42
6. Marietta — 41
7. Baldwin Wallace — 33
8. Wilmington — 32
9. Muskingum — 16
10. Heidelberg — 10