SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The University of Wisconsin-Superior men's soccer team has been named the favorite to bring home their eighth consecutive Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) championship, as the league announced its preseason poll on Wednesday.
 
UW-Superior earned 48 points and received six first place votes. Receiving the final first place votes was second place Bethany Lutheran, earning 44 points. Northland took third with 36 points.
 
The Yellowjackets will welcome ten newcomers to the program. Additionally, UWS welcomes back three instrumental players from last season in Josh Bellamy (High Wycombe, England/FAB Football Academy), Alex Hanson (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior), Phillip Eriksen (Skjetten, Norway/Lorenskog).
 
Bellamy and Hanson were both crucial members of a backline that collected 11 clean sheets and only surrendered 17 goals and 8.2 shots in 22 matches last season. Bellamy, a two-time All-UMAC First Team honoree, picked up 18 total points on six goals and six assists each in 2022. Hanson earned his All-UMAC First Team citation last season, logging a team-best 1,706 minutes and playing a full 90 minutes on 11 occasions. Both players were also members of the United Soccer Coaches All-Wisconsin Team last season.
 
Eriksen claimed his first all-conference honor in 2022 after being UMAC Rookie of the Year in 2020.  Additionally, Eriksen was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Wisconsin Team.  In the 2022 season, Eriksen totaled 13 goals, six assists totaling for 32 points, appearing in 20-of-22 matches Eriksen also recorded a .241 shooting percentage.
 
Northwestern compiled 27 points while Minnesota Morris earned 24 points and Crown 22 points. North Central finished with 14 points and Martin Luther rounds out the circuit with nine points.
 
The Yellowjackets are set to begin their season Sept. 3 at home against UW-Eau Claire. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at NBC Spartan Sports Complex, where the WoW New Student Tailgate Party will also take place. Returning students are also encouraged to attend.