DALLAS – Following their historic run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament last season, No. 8 Kentucky received each of Conference USA Men’s Soccer's top preseason accolades in 2019. The Wildcats were selected to finish first in the league, led by Kalil ElMedkhar and Jason Reyes, Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year, and Aimé Mabika, Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. All awards were voted on by the conference’s eight head coaches.
 
After sweeping both the C-USA regular-season and championship titles in 2018, Kentucky just missed out on the College Cup, finishing with a 19-2-1 overall record. The season saw the Wildcats end with a program-best 11 goals allowed and tie the program record with 49 goals scored. With a top-10 preseason ranking, Kentucky will look to defend their titles and return to the NCAA Tournament this season.
 
ElMedkhar, a 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List selection and 2018 First Team All-C-USA honoree, scored 11 goals and assisted on 10 last season. His assist total was good for seventh in the nation. The junior midfielder was also named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region team last campaign.
 
Reyes, the 2018 C-USA Freshman of the Year, stood fifth in the league with eight goals. His 20 points ranked sixth. The rising sophomore, who scored two game-winning goals, was also a Second Team All-Conference selection.
 
Named to this year’s MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, redshirt-junior Mabika anchored a Wildcats’ defense that ended last season ranked second nationally with a 0.49 goals against average. The defender was voted a Third Team All-American and was named First Team All-C-USA.
 
No. 21 Charlotte received the second spot in this year’s preseason poll. Last season, the 49ers received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and made it to the second round. Defensive stalwart Callum Montgomery was named a First Team All-American and was selected as the fourth pick of the MLS Superdraft by FC Dallas.
 
This season, the 49ers are led by two preseason honorees. Midfielder Teddy Chaouche, a Second Team All-C-USA selection, tied for the league lead with 10 assists in 2018. Goalkeeper Elliot Panicco, the 2018 C-USA Golden Glove Winner, did not concede a goal at home for 1,026 minutes and led the conference with a .849 save percentage.
 
The conference’s 25^th season of men’s soccer begins Friday, Aug. 30. The top six teams will head to the C-USA Championship, hosted by Old Dominion Nov. 13-17.
 
2019 C-USA Men’s Soccer Preseason Team
Teddy Chaouche, Charlotte, Sr., MF
Elliot Panicco, Charlotte, R-Sr., GK
Andrew Booth, FIU, R-Sr., MF/D
Alonso Coello Camarero, Florida Atlantic, So., MF
*Kalil ElMedkhar, Kentucky, Jr., MF
Enrique Facusse, Kentucky, Jr., GK
^Aimé Mabika, Kentucky, R-Jr., D
*Jason Reyes, Kentucky, So., F
Daniel Corona, Old Dominion, So., F
Sebastien Hauret, Old Dominion, R-Sr., MF
Luca Mayr, South Carolina, Sr., MF/F
 
*Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year
^Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
 
2019 C-USA Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll
(First-Place Votes)
1. Kentucky (5)
2. Charlotte (2)
3. Old Dominion
4. Marshall (1)
5. FIU
6. South Carolina
7. UAB
8. Florida Atlantic