Alva Review-Courier -

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – For the second time in three years the Ouachita Baptist men's soccer team has been picked to be the Great American Conference favorite; this is the first time that the men's soccer program has been picked as the outright favorite in the GAC.

"Being voted as the top team in the conference for the second time in three years is a great way to recognize the success that our team has had in the previous years." Ouachita men's soccer coach Wilson Jones said, "However, past success doesn't necessarily lead to future success. We have a lot of new faces that will need to contribute in different ways this year."

The defending GAC tournament champions received a total of nine points in the poll and accumulated three first place votes. In-state rival Harding finished second in the poll with seven total votes and was given the only other first place vote.

Oklahoma Baptist sits in third place and received five total points and Southern Nazarene rounds out the poll in fourth place with three total points.

Last season the Tigers finished the season 9-7-1 with a GAC record of 4-2-0. Ouachita earned the two seed in the GAC Tournament behind top seed Harding. Tiger senior Tinashe Chigede (Tulsa, Okla.) became just the second player in GAC Championship history to record a hat trick in a game. The offensive outburst by one of the league's top players propelled the Tigers to a 4-3 come-from-behind semifinal victory over Oklahoma Baptist. In the championship game, Ouachita defeated Harding 3-1 to earn their second GAC title in three years.

"We have developed a new team centered culture this year understanding that everyone plays their individual role in the groups success." Jones responded, "No one person is more important than the other."

This year's Tiger squad has strong upperclassmen leadership returning that understands the importance of accomplishing all of their goals both on and off the field. "I feel like the minimum standard the guys set for themselves is to win the conference." Jones replied, "That was one of the five goals set this past spring. In the end, if we win the conference but don't achieve our other four academic and athletic related goals, then we haven't lived up to the standards we have created." Leading the charge will be Ouachita's eight-member senior class which enters the 2018 season with an overall record of 26-25-2 and boasts two GAC Championships.

Ouachita will scrimmage Hendrix College on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. The Tigers will kick-off the season a week from Thursday on the road at Dallas Baptist University. For more news and stories about the men's soccer team go to http://www.obutigers.com or follow the official social media accounts of Ouachita Athletics.

Ranking School Votes (First Place)

1st Ouachita Baptist 9 (3)

2nd Harding 7 (1)

3rd Oklahoma Baptist 5

4th Southern Nazarene 3