ROCK HILL, S.C.

Tusculum received six first place votes and totaled 78 points after claiming the program's third Food Lion SAC Tournament title, and advancing to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the second time in school history last season.

The Pioneers led the way with seven Preseason All-SAC selections, headlined by midfielder Anteneh Lemma, a First Team honoree fresh off an All-American season in which he scored 14 goals and totaled 38 assists.

Joining Lemma on the first team are midfielder Lucas Paulini and defender Sven Meyer, both of whom garnered Daktronics All-Region honors in 2008.

Headlining the Preseason All-SAC Second Team from the Pioneers are forward Nick Rich, the 2008 SAC Freshman of the Year, and goalkeeper Lance Moore, the MVP of the 2008 Food Lion SAC Tournament and a Second-Team All-American. Joining Rich and Moore on the second team are midfielder Scott Lucky, who had a league-best 13 assists last season, and defender Phillip Hagen.

Carson-Newman, which shared the 2008 conference championship with Tusculum, is picked to finish second after receiving one first-place vote and 70 total points. Lincoln Memorial is third with one first-place vote and 60 points, followed by Wingate with one first-place vote and 59 points. Lenoir-Rhyne is fifth with 37 points, followed by Newberry (35), Mars Hill (34), Catawba (21) and Brevard (11).

Tusculum opens the 2009 season on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. when the Pioneers host Queens University of Charlotte at Pioneer Field.