WACO, Texas – Midwestern State has been picked to win the Heartland Conference title for a third consecutive year in 2018 following a vote of the conference’s coaches and sports information directors. Twelve players from around the conference were also named to the 2018 Heartland Men’s Soccer Preseason All-Heartland Team.
Midwestern State picked up 285 total points and 22 of the 24 possible first-place votes in the preseason poll. The Mustangs are coming off one of the best seasons in program in history in which they completed an undefeated run to the Division II Quarterfinals going 20-0-3. MSU returns reigning Freshman of the Year, and Preseason All-Heartland selection, Carlos Flores as they head into their first year under interim head coach Michael Meachum.
St. Edward’s was picked to finish second for a third consecutive season picking up 254 points overall and one first-place vote. The Hilltoppers are poised for another excellent season in the conference as they look to advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the fifth-straight season. SEU brings back Preseason All-Heartland performers Dylan Armstrong, who lead the Heartland in game-winning goals last season, and Cody Spitzer.
West Texas A&M rounds out the top three in the preseason poll as the Buffaloes earned 241 points and one first-place vote. WT has finished third in a loaded conference the past two seasons with a pair of appearances in the Heartland Conference tournament. The Buffaloes are led by Preseason All-Heartland selections Troy Reeves, Ivan Ulloa and Julio Vargas.
Texas A&M International was picked to finish fourth and make a second-straight Heartland Conference tournament as the Dustdevils earned 203 points. St. Mary’s was picked to finish fifth with 176 points, and Rogers State was picked sixth with 157 points.
UT Permian Basin was tabbed to finish seventh with 140 points followed by Lubbock Christian (120 points), Newman (94 points), DBU (90 points), Eastern New Mexico (68 points) and Oklahoma Christian (44 points).
Twelve Heartland men’s soccer players were named to the 2018 Heartland Men’s Soccer Preseason All-Heartland Team. Reigning Freshman of the Year Carlos Flores lead a group of three Midwestern State players that includes fellow midfielder Sebastian Venegas and defender Alex Mullet. West Texas A&M also had three All-Heartland selections in defender Troy Reeves, Midfielder Ivan Ulloa and forward Julio Vargas. St. Edward’s duo Dylan Armstrong and Cody Spitzer were named to the team for the Hilltoppers. Texas A&M International defender Luis Diaz and 2017 First Team All-Heartland selection in goalkeeper Carlos Herrera both represented the Dustdevils. St. Mary’s and UT Permian Basin each earned one Preseason All-Heartland selection in Pato Botello Faz (StMU) and Stefan Faria (UTPB).
| 2018 MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL |
| School |
Total Points |
| 1. |
Midwestern State (22) |
285 |
|
| 2. |
St. Edward's (1) |
254 |
|
| 3. |
West Texas A&M (1) |
241 |
|
| 4. |
Texas A&M International |
203 |
|
| 5. |
St. Mary's |
176 |
|
| 6. |
Rogers State |
157 |
|
| 7. |
UT Permian Basin |
140 |
| 8. |
Lubbock Christian |
120 |
| 9. |
Newman |
94 |
| 10. |
DBU |
90 |
| 11. |
Eastern New Mexico |
68 |
| 12. |
Oklahoma Christian |
44 |
| 2018 Preseason All-Heartland Men's Soccer Team |
| Position |
Player |
School |
Year |
Hometown |
| Forward |
Pato Botello Faz |
St. Mary's |
Senior |
Monterrey, Mexico |
| Forward |
Dylan Armstrong |
St. Edward's |
Senior |
Newcastle, England |
| Forward |
Julio Vargas |
West Texas A&M |
Senior |
Dallas, Texas |
| Midfielder |
Carlos Flores |
Midwestern State |
Sophomore |
Arlington, Texas |
| Midfielder |
Ivan Ulloa |
West Texas A&M |
Senior |
Wylie, Texas |
| Midfielder |
Stefan Faria |
UT Permian Basin |
Senior |
Belo Horizonte, Brazil |
| Midfielder |
Sebastian Venegas |
Midwestern State |
Junior |
Frisco, Texas |
| Defender |
Troy Reeves |
West Texas A&M |
Senior |
Keller, Texas |
| Defender |
Alex Mullet |
Midwestern State |
Senior |
Edmond, Okla. |
| Defender |
Cody Spitzer |
St. Edward's |
Junior |
McKinney, Texas |
| Defender |
Luis Diaz |
Texas A&M International |
Sophomore |
Laredo, Texas |
| Goalkeeper |
Carlos Herrera |
Texas A&M International |
Senior |
San Leandro, Calif. |