Bailey Sparks Earns ACC Preseason Honors
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2024 1:05 pmFrom SMUMustangs.com:
Bailey Sparks Earns ACC Preseason Honors
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ACC/SMU) – SMU Men's Soccer senior Bailey Sparks has been included in the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Watch List as announced by the league Wednesday.
The 2023 All-American and American Athletic Conference Midfielder of the Year started all 19 games for the Mustangs last year. He contributed two goals and five assists through the 2023 season, including a goal in the NCAA Championships to help take SMU to the round of 16.
The ACC Preseason Watch List is Sparks's second preseason honor, as he was included in the United Soccer Coaches' Preseason Midfielders to Watch. He is among 18 midfielders honored, five honorees, including Sparks, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The No.10 ranked Mustangs were picked eighth in the ACC Preseason Poll as they garnered 99 points, trailing Duke and Virginia. Duke made it to the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, while Virginia was in the Sweet Sixteen last season.
SMU enters a league with 11 teams that reached the NCAA Tournament in 2023. Clemson was picked first in the preseason poll following their NCAA Championship last year, followed by national runner-up Notre Dame.
Other ACC teams that reached the 2023 NCAA Tournament are North Carolina (quarterfinals), Stanford (quarterfinals), Virginia (third round), Louisville (second round), Syracuse (second round) and Wake Forest (second round).
2024 Preseason ACC Coaches Poll
1. Clemson
2. Notre Dame
3. North Carolina
4. Wake Forest
5. Stanford
6. Virginia
7. Duke
8. SMU
9. Pitt
10. Syracuse
11. NC State
12. Louisville
13. California
14. Virginia Tech
15. Boston College
SMU is No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll ahead of their inaugural ACC campaign. They are one of five ACC teams in the Preseason Top 10.
Sparks and the Mustangs begin their 2024 season against Air Force on Aug. 22. It will be the team's first of 12 home games this season.
Bailey Sparks Earns ACC Preseason Honors
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ACC/SMU) – SMU Men's Soccer senior Bailey Sparks has been included in the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Watch List as announced by the league Wednesday.
The 2023 All-American and American Athletic Conference Midfielder of the Year started all 19 games for the Mustangs last year. He contributed two goals and five assists through the 2023 season, including a goal in the NCAA Championships to help take SMU to the round of 16.
The ACC Preseason Watch List is Sparks's second preseason honor, as he was included in the United Soccer Coaches' Preseason Midfielders to Watch. He is among 18 midfielders honored, five honorees, including Sparks, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The No.10 ranked Mustangs were picked eighth in the ACC Preseason Poll as they garnered 99 points, trailing Duke and Virginia. Duke made it to the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, while Virginia was in the Sweet Sixteen last season.
SMU enters a league with 11 teams that reached the NCAA Tournament in 2023. Clemson was picked first in the preseason poll following their NCAA Championship last year, followed by national runner-up Notre Dame.
Other ACC teams that reached the 2023 NCAA Tournament are North Carolina (quarterfinals), Stanford (quarterfinals), Virginia (third round), Louisville (second round), Syracuse (second round) and Wake Forest (second round).
2024 Preseason ACC Coaches Poll
1. Clemson
2. Notre Dame
3. North Carolina
4. Wake Forest
5. Stanford
6. Virginia
7. Duke
8. SMU
9. Pitt
10. Syracuse
11. NC State
12. Louisville
13. California
14. Virginia Tech
15. Boston College
SMU is No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll ahead of their inaugural ACC campaign. They are one of five ACC teams in the Preseason Top 10.
Sparks and the Mustangs begin their 2024 season against Air Force on Aug. 22. It will be the team's first of 12 home games this season.