MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech men's soccer has been picked fifth in the 2019 Sunshine State Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll, announced by the SSC office August 20.
 
Defending SSC champion Palm Beach Atlantic is touted to win their third straight conference title as they earned 96 points and seven first-place votes. Lynn garnered the second spot with 83 points and one first-place vote while the defending national champions, Barry, was third with 81 points and one first-place vote. Nova Southeastern was the last team to garner any first-place votes as they received the final two and came in with 76 total points.
 
The Panthers was the first team to not receive a first-place vote but only finished five points behind the Sharks with 71 total points. Florida Southern occupied the middle spot in the poll as the Mocs earned 53 points. Tampa (45), Rollins (43), Saint Leo (23), Eckerd (21) and Embry-Riddle (13) rounded out the bottom portion of the poll.
 
The Crimson and Gray will return many of last season's key players including three out of the team's top four leading goal scorer in Per Henrik Nag (10), Luca Campanini (8) and Guillermo Segovia Marcos (5). The Panthers will also have their team captain, Solomon Wheatley, for one last ride as the graduate student will cap off his collegiate career.
 
Florida Tech will begin its season Thursday, September 5, with a neutral site match against the Wingate Bulldogs. This match is set to begin at 4 p.m. ET on the Barker Family Stadium at Cahall-Sandspur Field in Winter Park, Florida.
 
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech men's soccer team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
 
2019 SSC MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL