NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The George Mason men's soccer team was predicted to finish third in its inaugural season in the Atlantic 10 Conference as the league office released the 2013 preseason polls Wednesday. Additionally, freshman midfielder Zach Herstek was named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team. The polls were based on a vote of the league's 12 head coaches.             

Mason received 113 votes to place third, just ahead of Dayton in fourth with 112 points. Saint Louis, the defending A-10 Champion, was selected to repeat in 2013, receiving the most first-place votes with 11 (out of 12 possible) and a total of 143. VCU, with one first-place vote, was tabbed to finish second with 133 points. Rounding out the top five after Mason and Dayton was La Salle with 89 points.

Fordham placed sixth, followed by Duquesne, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, George Washington, St. Bonaventure and Saint Joseph's.

Seven additional student-athletes joined Herstek on the All-Rookie Team. Both Saint Louis and VCU placed two members on the team in David Andre and Joe Saad for the Billikens and Dakota Barnathan and Pablo Paz for the Rams. Arnaud Cesarini (Duquesne), James Haupt (Dayton) and Andrew Hickey (Fordham) complete the team.

Dayton will host the A-10 Championship to be played from November 14-17.

Mason plays its final exhibition contest of the preseason on Saturday, August 24 playing host to Campbell at 2 p.m. The regular season kicks off with on Aug. 30 when the Patriots welcome American, George Washington and Howard for the 13^th Annual D.C. College Cup.

2013 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

School (First Place Votes)            Points
Saint Louis (11)                                  143
VCU (1)                                             133
George Mason                                    113
Dayton                                               112
La Salle                                              89
Fordham                                             84
Duquesne                                           70
Rhode Island                                       51
Massachusetts                                   50
George Washington                            48
St. Bonaventure                                  28
Saint Joseph's                                   15

2013 Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference Team
F – Simon Gomez, Duquesne
F- Robert Kristo, Saint Louis
F – Emmett O'Connor, St. Bonaventure
M – Romena Bowie, VCU
M – David Graydon, Saint Louis
M – Jason Plumhoff, La Salle
M – Alex Sweetin, Saint Louis
D – Dennis Castillo, VCU
D – Anthony Manning, Saint Louis
D – Juan Monge, VCU
GK – John McCarthy, La Salle

All-Rookie Team
David Andre, Saint Louis (GK; FR)
Dakota Barnathan, VCU (DCM; FR)
Arnaud Cesarini, Duquesne (MF; SO)
James Haupt, Dayton (MF; FR)
Zach Herstek, George Mason (MF; FR)
Andrew Hickey, Fordham (D; FR)
Pablo Paz, VCU (ACM; SO)
Joe Saad, Saint Louis (MF/F; FR)