Aug. 14, 2003

RICHARDSON, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's soccer team has been picked to finish second in the West Division of the American Southwest Conference along with cross-town rival McMurry.

The Cowboys, who will be under the direction of first-year head coach Dan Heger, finished two points behind Texas Lutheran for first place in the poll. Mary Hardin-Baylor, Schreiner and Concordia-Austin round out the poll. UT-Dallas was picked to win the East Division.

Three Cowboys were named preseason players of the year. Junior forward James Burton was named preseason tri-offensive player of the year. Junior defender Brad Barham and McMurry transfer goalkeeper Ryan Shaughnessy were two of the three players named tri-defensive player of the year. Shaughnessy was named ASC defensive player of the year last season at McMurry, before transferring to HSU to be with Heger, his former coach.

HSU went 10-6-1 last season in the final season under Kevin Wardlaw.

ASC East Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: J.D. Pomposelli, MF, Sr., UT Dallas ASC East Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Garrett, D, Soph., Austin College

ASC West Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year (tri): James Burton, F, Jr., Hardin-Simmons; Rudy Irias, MF, Jr., McMurry; Sean O'Brien, MF/F, Sr., Texas Lutheran

ASC West Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year (tri): Brad Barham, D, Soph., Hardin-Simmons; Ryan Shaughnessy, GK, Soph., Hardin-Simmons; Jason Toman, GK, Soph., Schreiner