The Lander men’s soccer team placed a league-high three players on the All-Peach Belt Conference preseason team in seniors Sam Lofts and Jamie North and junior Jordan Skelton, the league announced today.
Lander and Young Harris, the two teams that have played for each of the last two PBC tournament championships, each placed three players on the team.
An NSCAA Second-Team All-Southeast Region and First-Team All-Peach Belt selection last season, Lofts led the Bearcats with 28 points on a team-high 12 goals and four assists. The Swindon, England, native ranked fourth in the PBC in points and goals. Lofts recorded the most points and goals for a Bearcat in a single season since 2013.
North’s 2016 campaign included four goals and a career-high seven assists. A native of Norfolk, England, North was chosen as an NSCAA Second-Team All-Southeast Region and Second-Team All-Peach Belt selection. North recorded a point in each of the final three regular-season matches and the PBC Tournament quarterfinals.
Skelton, serving as team captain, anchored a Bearcat defense that was tops in the PBC in 2016. As a sophomore, the Newcastle, England, native earned NSCAA First-Team All-Southeast Region, D2CCA Second-Team All-Southeast Region and First-Team All-Peach Belt accolades. Skelton also netted his first career goal during the regular-season.
Lander’s regular-season opener is on Thursday, Aug. 31 against Chowan at 7:30 p.m.
