FLORENCE, SC -- The Francis Marion University men’s soccer team has been picked to finish fifth during the 2007 Peach Belt Conference campaign according to the annual preseason coaches’ poll, while sophomore midfielder Kyle Clinton was named to the preseason All-PBC squad.

Lander University received six of a possible six first-place votes to capture the title of preseason favorite. Clayton State University was picked second, followed by USC Aiken, UNC Pembroke, FMU, North Georgia College & State University, and Georgia Southwestern State University. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. 

Clinton, a native of Safety Harbor, Fla., is one of three midfielders named to the 11-member preseason All-Conference Team. Clinton led the Patriots in 2006 with six goals scored, including a pair of match-winning scores, and was second in total points with 13.

First-year FMU head coach Kevin Varnado, an assistant to former head coach Murray Hartzler for the past five seasons, welcomes back 16 of 20 letterwinners, including 10 of 11 starters, from last year’s 4-12-1 squad. The Francis Marion roster also includes six incoming freshmen.

The Patriots open their season Friday, Aug. 24, by hosting Lees-McRae College in 4 p.m. match. 

The Patriots play three preseason exhibitions prior to their season opener, including an Aug. 17 contest at NCAA Division I UNC Wilmington. The upcoming 2007 schedule lists 18 matches, highlighted by eight home contests.