Date Posted: 8/13/2007

Macon, Ga. – Campbell took home the honor as the preseason pick to win the Atlantic Sun regular season title and the Camels’ junior midfielder Richard Jata (Port Richey, Fla.) was named the Preseason Player of the Year, by the coaches, on Monday.

Jata was a first-team all-Atlantic Sun performer in 2006. Last season, Jata ranked second in the league in assists (seven) and points (21). He finished fifth in the A-Sun in goals (seven).

“Richard is an unbelievably gifted soccer player, one that has the ability to be a true box-to-box midfielder,” Campbell head coach Doug Hess said. “He can score and create goals as well as defend through the middle of the park. I look for great things from him this year and we will rely heavily on the talents he possesses.”

Campbell’s three all-Atlantic Sun selections were matched by Jacksonville. The Dolphins are represented by seniors Anton Axelsson (eight goals, 21 points in 2006), Brian Cocciolo and midfielder Johnathan Jackson, the lone sophomore on the team. Jackson made the 2005 All-Freshman team, but did not play in 2006.

Jacksonville was one of four schools to collect a single first-place vote after Stetson, the 2006 regular-season champ, and Campbell got three votes each. The Hatters and Camels each earned three votes from the coaches to be the tournament champ. Campbell edged out Stetson as the coaches’ choice to win the regular season.

“It is an honor to be chosen two years running by the other coaches in our conference as the pre-season favorite,” said Doug Hess, who is in his sixth year as head coach of the Fighting Camels. “I give full credit to the players in our program and the work they have done over the last several years to get us to this point. However, we would give up the pre-season honors in an instant to have the trophy in November.”

In addition to Jata, three seniors were unanimous selections to the all-conference team. Belmont midfielder Ian Schinelli (three goals, nine points in 2006) and forwards Vicente Arze (seven goals, 15 points in 11 games) from Mercer, and Richard Godfrey (seven goals, 20 points) from Gardner-Webb earned the honor.

The Atlantic Sun Conference, headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Florida Gulf Coast, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, UNF, Stetson, and USC Upstate.

Tournament Champion: Campbell/Stetson

* - Unanimous Selection

Preseason Player of the Year: Richard Jata, Midfielder, Campbell

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Men's Soccer