RICHMOND, Va. - Senior defender Eric Zuehsow was selected by a vote of the league's head coaches to the preseason All-CAA men's soccer team as announced by the conference office Monday.

Zuehsow started all 17 games for the Patriots last season, the only Patriot defender to start in every contest, and led the team in minutes played with 1570. The Ashburn, Va., native was part of Mason's seven shutouts and took eight shots, two on goal, over the season. He capped his junior campaign earning second-team All-CAA.

Hofstra sophomore defender Shaun Foster was chosen as the preseason Player of the Year following a season in which he became the first men's soccer player in CAA history to earn Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Joining Foster and Zuehsow on defense on the preseason team was Delaware senior Darren O'Connor.

Old Dominion, Towson and Northeastern placed members on the team at forward in Gideon Asante, Olakunle Banjo and Mike Kennedy, respectively. William & Mary's Nicolas Abrigo, Delaware's Evans Frimpong, UNC Wilmington's Daniel Roberts and James Madison's Paul Wyatt were named to the team in the midfield. Georgia State junior Vincent Foermer was tabbed as the goalkeeper on the preseason all-conference team.

Ryan Gracia was named honorable mention after tallying one goal and three assists for the Patriots last season. The senior midfielder appeared in 13 matches with 10 starts in 2010. Gracia was joined on the honorable mention list by Ben Anderson (MF, William & Mary), Don Anding (F, Northeastern), Chris Harmon (MF, Old Dominion), Christian Hofer (D, Towson), Jason Johnson (F, VCU), Jordan LeBlanc (MF, Old Dominion), Brandon Miller (GK, UNC Wilmington), Nathan Page (MF, Drexel) and Roshan Patel (D, William & Mary).

Mason opens its regular season on Friday, August 26 traveling to Boston College for a 4 p.m. matchup. The Patriots open their home slate with the D.C. College Cup September 1 and 3.