Posted: Aug 23, 2024
Bison Selected Seventh in PAC Preseason Poll
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Bethany College men's soccer team was picked to finish seventh in the Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) preseason poll, in a vote of the conference coaches, the league announced today (September 23, 2024).
"We have a lot of work to do as a program to achieve our full potential this upcoming season," said Bethany Bison Head Soccer Coach Matthew Wolf. "Once we reach that potential, the goal is to regain the respect of the conference."
Bethany finished with a total of 44 points, placing them seventh out of the 11 conference teams in the poll.
Geneva College was picked to repeat as PAC champions, earning 97 points with eight of the 11 first-place votes. The Golden Tornadoes were followed by Grove City, which earned 92 points with two first-place votes. The 2023 runner up, Franciscan, was picked to finish third with 81 points and a first place vote.
The Barons were followed by Allegheny (62), Waynesburg (57), Chatham (55), BETHANY (44), Saint Vincent (40), Washington & Jefferson (37), Westminster (29), and Thiel (11).
The Bison are set to begin the 2024 season 3 p.m. September 1, traveling to Mount Union.
PAC PLAYERS TO WATCH - BETHANY
Senior Goalkeeper Matteo Pintus:
The Italian goalkeeper started every game in the net for the Bison. Pintus was second in the conference in saves, finishing with 75 saves over the course of 17 games. He averaged over four saves a game and posted three shutouts in the 2023 season. Pintus will be the anchor of a Bethany team who has historically leaned on their defense in close games.
Senior Forward Taivier Stewart:
Stewart is presumed to be one of the primary goal scorers for the Bison this season as the top returning scorer with eight points (three goals, two assists). His biggest offensive game of last season came in a 4-0 victory over Thiel where the forward notched a goal and an assist.
Sophomore Forward Ousainou Conateh:
Conateh was an essential part of the 2023 team playing in all but one of Bethany's 17 games. The then-freshman started in 10 games.
Junior Defender Naguel Vivas:
Vivas was an every-game starter for the Bison in 2023. The left back emerged as a strong addition to a stout back-end defense. Vivas is expected to make an impact holding down the right flank in each game this season.
Freshmen Sam Bedoya:
Bedoya is one of the few freshmen on the PAC Players to watch list. The defender from Cape Coral, Florida should add even more pillars to a well structured defense.
The Bison are set to begin their season with a week-long road trip. Their first match will be against Mount Union, set to take place on Sunday, September 1st at 3PM.
