LANCASTER, Pa. – Johns Hopkins headlines a group of four teams to receive first-place votes in the 2019 Centennial Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll. The Blue Jays tallied four first-place nods and 76 points to earn the top spot in the prognostication among the 10 conference head coaches. 

Defending champion Haverford collected four first-place votes and totaled 70 points to place second in the voting. Franklin & Marshall (67) and Dickinson (61) also earned first-place votes to finish third and fourth in the rankings, respectively. 

Gettysburg was fifth with 51 points, followed by Swarthmore (39), Muhlenberg (35), Washington College (23), McDaniel (19), and Ursinus (9). 

The 2019 season kicks off on Friday, Aug. 30 for eight of the 10 conference teams. Conference play opens up on Saturday, Sept. 21, and the Centennial Conference Tournament begins with the opening round on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The conference semifinals are set for Saturday, Nov. 9 with the championship on Sunday, Nov. 10. 

2019 Schedule | 2018 Results | 2018 Statistical Leaders | 2018 Championship Results | 2018 All-Centennial Team | Record Book

The Centennial Conference once again displayed its superb quality in 2018, as three teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row, the third time in the last four seasons, and the eighth time in conference history. Conference-champion Haverford, runner-up F&M and Johns Hopkins each earned bids into the national tournament, with the Blue Jays and Diplomats each advancing to the second round. 

Haverford captured its third conference title in the last four seasons with a dramatic 3-2 overtime triumph over F&M in the championship game. Deadlocked at 2-2 after just 25 minutes of play, reigning Player of the Year Nick Jannelli brought the title back to the Fords with the game-winning finish in the 103rd minute of play. 

Jannelli, who earned third team All-America honors from both the United Soccer Coaches and D3soccer.com last fall, headlines a deep and talented group of returners to the Centennial. A total of 20 All-CC performers from eight different teams return to the field in 2019. 

2019 Centennial Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll