HUNTSVILLE | The Gulf South Conference unveiled its 2022 Men's Soccer Preseason Release on Thursday, announcing the league's predicted order of finish, Preseason All-GSC Team, and top newcomers.
 
In the preseason poll of the league's head coaches, The University of Alabama in Huntsville has been picked to finish eighth.
 
Topping the poll is West Florida who edges out Auburn Montgomery with 114 points to 111 points, respectively, while the top five is rounded out by Lee, Montevallo, and Mississippi College.
 
Each of UWF (6), AUM (3), Lee (1), and Montevallo (2) received first place votes.
 
Christian Brothers is sixth and followed by Spring Hill, while West Alabama and Union come after the Chargers to complete the first 10 in the poll. Delta State in 11th and Shorter at 12th wrap up the preseason ranking.
 
On the list of the league's top newcomers, UAH is represented by defenders Isak Orn Elvarsson and Harvey Hewson in addition to forward Malek Elbendary. Elbendary is a transfer from Shaw University who hails from Cairo, Egypt, while Orn Elvarsson and Hewson are freshmen who come to Huntsville from Akranes, Iceland, and Woking, England, respectively. 
 
The international trio join 10 other new faces for the fall campaign as the Chargers look to fill the holes from the departure of six key seniors from last year's squad.
 
The Chargers have begun preseason preparations ahead of the regular season opener on Aug. 25 at Trevecca Nazarene, and UAH is scheduled to open the home slate on Aug. 28 against North Georgia at 2 p.m. at Charger Park.