FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University senior defender Ivan Juric has been selected to the 2010 Peach Belt Conference Pre-Season All-Conference Team for men’s soccer.

The 12-member squad was voted on by the league’s head coaches.

Juric, a native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, moved from the midfield to an outside defender position prior to the 2009 season. He started all 19 matches and played 1,719 out of a possible 1,784 minutes. He recorded two goals and one assist, and helped anchored a Patriot defense that ranked 25th nationally in goals against average and posted eight shutouts.

Following the 2009 season, Juric earned both All-Conference and All-Region recognition.

He helped lead Francis Marion to an 11-5-3 record in 2009, while the Patriots tied for fewest goals allowed by a team in the Peach Belt, with opponents tallying only 17 scores in the 19 matches. The Patriots placed fifth in the final PBC regular-season standings and lost a tight overtime decision in the quarterfinal round of the conference tournament.

With 10 returning lettermen, including seven starters, Francis Marion opens its 2010 season on Sept. 2 with a 5 p.m. home match against local-rival Coker College.

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