The Francis Marion University men's soccer team is among the other schools receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Top 25 pre-season poll.

Head coach Luis Rincon welcomes back six lettermen, including five starters, from last season's 10-5-7 squad that captured the Conference Carolinas East Division championship, won the conference tournament title, and made the program's fourth-ever NCAA National Tournament berth.

Among the returnees are All-Region midfielder Mario Buelga, All-Region defender David Guevara, All-Conference midfielder Antonio Garda, and goalkeeper Ian Milla.

The Patriots will open their 17-match schedule with a Sept. 4 home contest against the University of Montevallo.  Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.

Two opponents FMU will face this season were also included in the pre-season poll:  Converse University (ranked 25th) and Mars Hill University (also receiving votes).

Rincon owns a .632 winning percentage in six seasons with the Patriots, and his career mark stands at 112-51-32 with four NCAA Tournament berths.