Lakers ranked eighth in NSCAA preseason Division II Top 25 men’s soccer poll
Highest preseason national ranking ever for Clayton State men’s soccer

2006 NSCAA Division II Preseason Men's Top 25
MORROW, Ga. — AUGUST 21, 2006 — With the 2006 men’s soccer season on the horizon, the Clayton State Laker men’s soccer team is already reaping the rewards for the ultra success of the past couple of the season. The NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) released its 2006 Division II national Top 25 poll on Monday, and the Lakers are ranked eighth.

This marks the highest national preseason ranking for Clayton State, which begins its 15th season of men’s collegiate soccer this fall.

Head coach Pete Petersen’s finished 13-4-4 last season, winning both the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA Division II National Tournament for a second straight season. The Lakers are the second-highest ranked team from the Southeast Region. Carson-Newman is ranked sixth, while Lander is ranked 14th, Catawba is ranked 15th and UNC-Pembroke and Tusculum are tied for 23rd.

Three of those five teams (Lander, UNC-Pembroke and Tusculum) are on the Clayton State schedule this season. The Lakers also have Top 25 showdowns against 18th-ranked Montevallo and 25th-ranked Rollins.

The Lakers return six starters from last season’s squad, headlined by All-Region forward Kevin Crooks and All-Region goalkeeper Heath Padgett. Clayton State opens the 2006 season on Thursday at Rollins at 7 p.m.