Indiana University Athletics
Pair Selected Preseason AA (8-05-04)
8/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Bloomington, Ind. -Senior Danny O'Rourke and junior Brian Plotkin were selected to College Soccer News' Preseason All-America teams. CSN also ranked the Hoosiers No. 1 in its preseason poll as well.
O'Rourke, a first team All-Big Ten selection each of the last two years, was one of four midfielders selected as a first team preseason All-American. The Columbus, Ohio, native helped anchor a defense that ranked fifth in the nation in goals against average in 2004. He was a Soccer Times honorable mention All-America selection last season as well as a first team NSCAA Great Lakes All-Region choice. O'Rourke was also named to Soccer America's Collegiate MVP Team.
"Danny is perhaps the best ball winner in college soccer," Indiana head coach Mike Freitag said. "He is a fierce competitor and a true leader for our team. We feel he is one of the best in the country at his position."
Plotkin was a third team preseason All-America selection by CSN. The 2002 Big Ten Freshman of the Year scored seven goals and dished out nine assists in 2003. He ranked second on the Hoosiers in goals, assists and points (23). In 2003, Plotkin was selected first team NSCAA Great Lakes All-Region, first team All-Big Ten and honorable mention All-American by Soccer Times.
"Brian is a player that should be considered for national player of the year honors," Freitag said. "He is an outstanding midfielder who has a very gifted left foot. He is a valuable asset on both sides of the ball. "
The Hoosiers were one of only three teams to have two representatives in the three CSN All-America teams. Notre Dame and Saint Louis both had a first team and third team selection as well. Ironically, the Hoosiers will battle both Notre Dame and Saint Louis during the 2004 season. IU will take on Notre Dame on Sept. 15 in Bloomington and then travel to Saint Louis to face the Billikins on Oct. 31.
Indiana will begin the season with exhibition action at the IPFW Soccer Showcase in Ft. Wayne, Ind. The Hoosiers will battle College Soccer News' preseason No. 2 St. John's in a rematch of last season's national title game. The game is set for 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20. Indiana will then close out its exhibition season with a match up against IPFW the following night at 8:00 p.m.
The Hoosiers will open up the 2004 regular season hosting the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic. The Hoosiers will host Boston University (BU) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3. Indiana will then take on Oregon State at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5. BU and Oregon State will also face Notre Dame at the Classic. The Irish open the Classic up against Oregon State at 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 3. Notre Dame will then take on Boston at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Classic will be played on Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium.
2004 First Team Preseason All-America
Ryan Pore - Junior - Forward - Tulsa
Vedad Ibisevic - Sophomore - Forward - Saint Louis
Alejandro Salazar - Junior - Forward - Portland
C.J. Klaas - Senior - Midfielder - Washington
Knox Cameron - Senior - Midfielder - Michigan
Danny O'Rourke - Senior - Midfielder - Indiana
Leonardo de Oliveira - Junior - Midfielder - UAB
Trevor McEachron - Junior - Defender - Old Dominion
Guy Melamed - Senior - Defender - Boston College
Michael Parkhurst - Junior - Defender - Wake Forest
Chris Sawyer - Junior - Goalkeeper - Notre Dame
2004 Second Team Preseason All-America
Marcus Storey- Senior- Forward - North Carolina
Carl Acosta- Senior- Forward - California
Boyzz Khumalo - Senior- Forward - Coastal Carolina
Marc Bunch - Junior - Midfielder - Evansville
Chris Corcoran - Senior - St. John's
Marcus Sagastume - Senior - Midfielder - Air Force
Eric Varquez - Senior - Midfielder - Central Florida
Ugo Ihemelu - Senior - Defender - SMU
Jeff Larentowics - Senior - Defender - Brown
Matt Oliver - Senior - Defender - Virginia
Brad Guzan - Sophomore - Goalkeeper - South Carolina
2004 Third Team Preseason All-America
Chad Severs -Senior - Forward - Penn State
Chad Barrett - Sophomore - Forward - UCLA
Derek McElligott - Senior - Forward - UMBC
Antou Jallow - Senior - Forward - Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Andrew Dealy - Senior - Midfielder - Yale
John DiRaimondo - Sophomore - Midfielder - Saint Louis
Brian Plotkin - Junior - Midfielder - Indiana
Jack Stewart - Senior - Defender - Notre Dame
Gonzalo Segares - Senior - Defender - Virginia Commonwealth
Michael Lockingland - Senior - Defender - Bucknell
John O'Hara - Senior - Goalkeeper - George Mason
