FULL SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE RELEASE

ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Coker University men's soccer team was picked ninth in the 2020-21 SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the league today (Monday, Jan. 25). Sophomore Jacques Fokam-Sandeu was named to the Preseason All-Conference First Team, while Morgan Ratcliffe was selected to the Preseason All-Conference Second Team.

No. 6 Wingate took the top spot in the poll with 132 points and 10 first-place votes, while Queens (N.C.) was second with 1114 points. Carson-Newman was tabbed third with 112 points and the remaining first-place vote, while Anderson (S. C.) was slated fourth with 97 points. Limestone was picked fifth with 91 points, while Lenoir- Rhyne was slated sixth with 79 points. Lincoln Memorial was picked seventh with 69 points, while Tusculum was picked eighth with 67 points. Coker at ninth received 65 points, while Newberry was slated 10th with 48 points, while Catawba was picked 11th with 29 points, Mars Hill rounded out the poll with 25 points.

Coker improved its season win total in 2019, posting 10 wins including five in the South Atlantic Conference. The Cobras went on a five-match win streak, the longest streak since the 2012-13 season where they won six in a row. Coker also had a notable 1-0 win over No. 16 Lander on Sept. 25 of last season. The Cobras also spent time in both the United Soccer coaches regional and national polls last season.

Fokam-Sandeu returns after a stellar freshman season. Fokam- Sandeu started 17 out of 18 matches for the Cobras last season where he scored eight goals and had three assists. Fokam-Sandeu was also selected to the 2019 SAC Men's Soccer All-Conference First Team.  Academically, he was named to the 2019-20 South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. 

The Paris, France native is the son of Jean Fokam-Sandeu, and is an entrepreneurship major.

Ratcliffe appeared in 16 matches for the Cobras in 2019, helping the team secure five shutouts from his position on the back line.

The Lancashire, England native is the son of Mark and Pamela Ratcliffe, and is an accounting major.

Coker also returns Guilermo Falo Ejea (104 saves) and Markos Touroukis (4G, 3A) from a season ago. The Cobras return 19 players in total from 2019-20.

The Cobras open the season on Feb. 18 at Anderson (S.C.). Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.