Hardin-Simmons sophomore forward, James Burton, was named American Southwest Conference West Division Preseason Offensive Player of the year and the Cowboys were picked to finish second in the Preseason ASC Men's Soccer Coaches Poll released Wednesday.

Burton is the top returning goal scorer in the conference wih 20 goals and 44 points. David Stahl, a Texas Lutheran senior who was an All-ASC and All-ASC West Division award recipient last season, was named ASC West Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. TLU received 32 points to take the top spot in the West Division. Hardin-Simmons, with 27 points and a 2001 overall record of 16-5-1 and ASC record of 8-3-1, is ranked second. McMurry, Schreiner, Mary Hardin-Baylor and Concordia-Austin are all expected to finish third, fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.

UT Dallas, who shared the 2001 West Division Title with TLU; will compete in the men's soccer East Division beginning in 2002. The Comets outdistanced defending ASC East champion University of the Ozarks as the top preseason pick in the East Division. Mississippi College, Austin College, and East Texas Baptist placed third, fourth and fifth. While Letourneau and Loisiana College round out the bottom-half at sixth and seventh.

Ozarks senior forward Ricky Herrera, an All-East and All-ASC Tournament selection a year ago, was selected ASC East Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Senior defender Edgar Martinez of ETBU , a 2001 All-ASC and All-East honoree, was chosen ASC East Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.