EDISON, NJ - The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced the 2024 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll and Preseason All-MAAC Teams on Wednesday morning. The Iona University men's soccer team was tabbed first by the league coaches after finishing at the top of the table a season ago with the program's second MAAC Regular Season Championship in 2023.

The Gaels finished with a 12-4 overall record a season ago, including a 9-1 record against league foes. Iona captured the league title for the first time since 2009 behind a program record for conference wins while pacing the league circuit in scoring offense and scoring defense.

Rider, the 2023 MAAC Champions  were picked second with three first place votes. Manhattan, Rider and Siena round out the top four in the preseason poll. 

The Gaels were represented with three preseason All-MAAC selections voted on by the league coaches. Senior Thiago Cagna was selected as Co-Preseason Player of the Year and Preseason All-MAAC at midfield. Cagna was an All-MAAC First Team performer a season ago and is the top returning goal scorer for the Maroon & Gold. Junior Sergio Gonzalez Fernandez was picked as a Preseason All-MAAC performer for the second straight season. Gonzalez Fernandez was selected as an All-MAAC Second Team performer at midfield in his first two campaigns with the Maroon & Gold. Senior Tim Timchenko, the reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-MAAC First Team honoree was selected to the Preseason All-MAAC team for the second consecutive year. 

Iona begins the 2024 season on Thursday, August 22 with a 5:30 p.m. match at Boston College.