CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Loras College men's soccer team claimed the top spot in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) preseason coaches' poll for the second consecutive year, as released by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon.

The Duhawks, who garnered the regular season title last year, led the league with six first-place votes and 62 total points, while the conference tournament champions, Wartburg College, checked into second place with three first-place votes and 58 points.

Luther College and the University of Dubuque ranked third and fourth respectively in the poll earning 48 and 43 points from the conference coaches.

Nebraska Wesleyan University and Simpson College rounded out the top half of the league in a tie for fifth place with each school receiving 33 points.

Sam Koenig enters his second season as head coach of the Duhawks, following an impressive first season where the Purple and Gold finished with an overall record of 12-4-4 and a 6-2-0 mark in league play.

Loras welcomes back a solid core from last season's squad including Reed Miklavicic, who was named A-R-C Offensive Most Valuable Player and earned All-Region accolades, as well as Bryan Basinger, Dani Galiana Torres and Ethan Kelly, who were also named to All-Conference teams in 2023.

The Duhawks kick off the 2024 season at Aurora University on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.