LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The Biola Eagles were picked to finish ninth in the PacWest Preseason Poll released Wednesday. The PacWest has 14 men's soccer teams and the poll was chosen by the head coaches at each institution.

The Eagles retain two all-conference players from their 10-6-1 mark in 2016. Senior Sammy McKay will look to continue the success that earned him an All-GSAC selection and is one of four starting defenders who return to Biola in 2017. Junior Kousei Mattox was the only Eagles midfielder to log 1,500 minutes in 2016 and also returns as an all-conference performer.

"It's just nice to see our name on the list because we're excited to play in this conference," said Head Coach Todd Elkins. "We're coming into this season with a lot of respect for every team in this conference, regardless of standing, because they have been through this conference before and we have not. But as rookies to the PacWest, we come in with eyes wide open and with excited anticipation about simply playing soccer and proving we're a quality program."

Dixie State won the PacWest outright in 2016 by going undefeated, 13-0. The Trailblazers are slotted in the three spot in this poll with California Baptist ranked first by the conference coaches. Both schools garnered five first-place votes.

Biola begins its 2017 schedule at home against UC San Diego on Aug. 31 at 7:00 p.m. The Eagles travel with the women's team to St. George, Utah to face Dixie State for their first PacWest match on Saturday Sept. 23.