LA JOLLA, Calif. - With the 2012 men's soccer season right around the corner, UC San Diego will enter league play considered to place in the top ranks according to California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) head coaches. The Tritons were picked to finish third in the South Division in the annual CCAA preseason coaches poll, it was announced Thursday.

Cal State L.A., the defending CCAA Tournament and NCAA West Region champion, was picked to take first in the South Division, garnering seven first-place votes and 56 points. Cal State Dominguez Hills was picked second (five first-place votes, 53 points) and UCSD came in third with 41 total points.

Meanwhile, Chico State was selected as the top contender of the North Division with six first-place votes and 55 points. Sonoma State placed second (four first-place votes, 51 points) and Cal State Stanislaus owned the third spot (two first-place votes, 45 points).

Additionally, UCSD was one of four teams named by the coaches to win the league tournament.

The Tritons lost no players to graduation with the majority back in full force during preseason training.

The 2012 campaign opens against the Lancers of Cal Baptist at Triton Soccer Field on Thursday, Aug. 30th at 7 p.m. CCAA play starts the following week with a pair of home matches - San Francisco State on Sept. 7 and Cal Poly Pomona on Sept. 9.

2012 CCAA Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
North
Rank, School (First-Place Votes), Total Points, 2011 Records
1. Chico State (6), 55, 13-4-4, 11-3-2
2. Sonoma State (4), 51, 9-6-3, 8-5-3
3. Cal State Stanislaus (2), 45, 11-6-2, 9-5-2
4. Cal State Monterey Bay, 32, 7-9-1, 7-8-1
5. Humboldt State, 20, 5-13-0, 4-12-0
6. Cal State East Bay, 13, 2-16-0, 1-15-0

South
Rank, School (First-Place Votes), Total Points, 2011 Records
1. Cal State L.A. (7), 56, 15-2-6, 10-1-5
2. Cal State Dominguez Hills (5), 53, 12-6-2, 10-4-2
3. UC San Diego, 41, 10-8-0, 9-7-0
4. Cal State San Bernardino, 33, 7-9-2, 5-9-2
5. San Francisco State, 20, 5-11-2, 4-11-1
6. Cal Poly Pomona, 13, 9-7-2, 8-6-2

2012 CCAA Tournament Participants (votes)
T1. Cal State L.A. (10); T1. Chico State (10); 3. Cal State Dominguez Hills (9); 4. Sonoma State (7); 5. Cal State Stanislaus (5); 6. UC San Diego (4); 7. Cal State San Bernardino (2); 8. Cal State Monterey Bay (1).

2012 CCAA Tournament Champion (votes)
Cal State L.A. (4)
Cal State Dominguez Hills (4)
Sonoma State (3)
UC San Diego (1)

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