Old Dominion, which was ranked No. 7 in the final Soccer America rankings of the 2005 regular season, is the pick to win the CAA menÆs championship.
The Monarchs return eight starters from last seasonÆs 15-4-2 squad that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. Back for ODU are first-team All-CAA midfielder Edson Elcock, second-team All-CAA defender David Horst and sophomore midfielder Trevor Banks, the 2005 CAA Rookie of the Year.
Hofstra, who won the 2005 CAA title, is picked to finish second. The Pride features four returning all-conference selections: senior forward Michael Todd (12 goals), junior midfielder Constantinos Christoudias (8), junior midfielder Chris Cox (6) and senior back Gary Flood, who was also the MVP of the CAA Tournament. JMU, which returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001, is picked to finish third. Leading the DukesÆ nine returning starters is two-time first-team All-CAA midfielder Kurt Morsink (9 goals). VCU, which slipped to 6-10-4, is picked to finish fourth. ODU, Hofstra, JMU and VCU were the only teams to receive first-place votes. UNC Wilmington was picked fifth in the poll, followed by George Mason, Towson, William & Mary, Northeastern, Georgia State, Drexel and Delaware.