MORROW, GA – Over the last 12 years, the Clayton State men's soccer program has regularly challenged for the Peach Belt Conference crown, and if the PBC coaches are correct in 2012, the Lakers will be in the mix to be named king again.

The Lakers, along with the Montevallo Falcons, were picked second in the preseason poll of league coaches with 66 points behind defending conference champion Flagler, who received five first place votes and a total of 75.

"Since 2000, the Laker (soccer) nation has made an incredible run," said Pete Petersen, who has led the squad to multiple championships in his eight years at the helm. "Players and staff before today surely have something to be proud of.  We now go forward with eight returning players and reloading with 14 new players being welcomed to the Orange. "We must be ready to face the toughest NCAA Division II  Region in the country."

Behind Clayton State, Lander was fourth in the poll with 57 points, just ahead of UNC Pembroke at 53.  Newcomer Young Harris was next followed by North Georgia, USC Aiken, Francis Marion and Georgia Southwestern.

Heading into 2012, the revamped Lakers have assembled some of the top young talent in the Peach Belt with 10 freshmen on the roster.  However, the new players will have some experienced hands to guide them as junior midfielders Arturo Cruz and Kevin Rodriguez both return after being named preseason All-Conference. The Lakers also return their leading scorer in senior forward Kenny Mena.

Men's soccer in the Peach Belt has undergone some changes for 2012.  The league welcomes Young Harris College this season as the 10th men's soccer program in the league, giving the PBC more men's soccer teams than at any point in its history. YHC is making the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks but will be eligible to compete in the PBC Tournament since there is no NCAA automatic bid for the tournament winner.  The Mountain Lions will also be immediately eligible for all PBC awards and honors.

Also new in the PBC is head coach John Campbell, who will be leading the program at Francis Marion.

The preseason coach's poll is listed below.  Teams were given 11 points for a first-place vote, 10 for a second and so on.  Coaches were not permitted to rank their own teams.