DAHLONEGA, GA – The North Georgia men’s soccer team was picked to finish sixth in the Peach Belt Conference preseason coaches poll announced Thursday afternoon by the league office. Francis Marion and Lander tied atop the poll as the favorite to capture the title.

Last season, the men’s soccer program hosted their first-ever Peach Belt Conference Tournament game and advanced to the Final Four of the PBC Tournament for the second straight year.

Pat Parris’ squad finished the 2008 season with a record of 8-11-1 overall and in fourth place in the Peach Belt Conference, their highest finish since entering the league in 2005.

The Saints will open the regular season on the road at Florida Southern and St. Leo University before returning home for three straight home games against Erskine College, Nova Southeastern, and Tampa University.

North Georgia opens the Peach Belt Conference portion of the 2009 schedule on the road at USC Aiken on September 12, before returning home to face Lander University on September 26. Trips to Clayton State, Francis Marion, and Montevello round out the league schedule on the road, while the Saints will welcome Georgia Southwestern, Flagler, and finally UNC Pembroke to town to close out the regular season.

The PBC Tournament will begin with first-round games on home sites on Nov. 3 with the final four returning to Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Ga., Nov. 6 and 8.

2009 PBC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll