Elson, Loftis, Cornell and Johnson Honored by HCAC

GREENWOOD, Ind. – After finishing seventh in the conference standings in 2009, the Defiance College men's soccer team was picked eighth in the 2010 HCAC Preseason Poll released by the league office on Thursday, August 12.

With a total of 30 points garnered in the preseason poll, the Yellow Jackets more than doubled their point total from one year ago.

The Yellow Jackets also had four members of the squad named to the Preseason Players-to-Watch list, in seniors Tony Cornell and Matt Johnson and juniors Kevin Elson and Joe Loftis.

Cornell was honored as a player-to-watch for the second time in his career after receiving the distinction as a sophomore in 2008. The Carroll, Ohio, native registered two goals and two assists last season, and has accumulated 22 points in his career at Defiance.

Johnson has been a mainstay as a defender for Defiance over the past three seasons, and has pitched in offensively as well with six total points in his career. In addition to his on-the-field accolades, Johnson has represented the Yellow Jackets well in the classroom as a two-time academic all-conference selection.

Elson was an All-HCAC performer as a freshman in 2008, and is making his second-straight appearance on the Preseason Players-to-Watch list. The Wauseon, Ohio, native recorded two goals in 2009, including a game-winning strike in DC's victory over Mount St. Joseph.  

Loftis was relentless from his midfield position last season, and was rewarded by being honored as a DC Classic All-Tournament selection and an All-HCAC performer. The Armada High School product was also recognized by the conference last season with a selection to the HCAC All-Sportsmanship team.

The Yellow Jackets return nine starters from last season, and bring in a strong group of freshmen along with a new head coach in Alex Van der Sluijs. The team is set to kick-off the season at home on September 4, when they host Waynesburg University in the opening match of the 2010 DC Classic.