Aug. 7, 2000

VILLANOVA, Pa.-- On Aug. 7th, the 2000 Big East preseason men's soccer poll and all-conference team was released. Wildcat senior Jim Curtin (Oreland, Pa./Bishop McDevitt High School) was chosen to the all-conference team as a defensemen. Villanova, after finishing 2-15 overall and 0-11 in the conference, was picked to finish last. The Wildcats received 13 points in the poll by the league's 12 head coaches.

Curtin tallied three goals on the year from his defensive spot. Men's soccer head coach Larry Sullivan understands his senior captain isn't going to be in the position to score often.

"People want to look at numbers," Sullivan states, "But in this sport they don't necessarily mean you are the best player on the field. Jimmy isn't going to have the opportunity to put up big scoring numbers because of where he plays. But he is an integral part of what we do.

Sullivan will look to Curtin to provide leadership and competitiveness on the field.

"Jimmy is a natural athlete," says Sullivan. "He could play any sport, I'm sure. What makes him a very good soccer player is his athletic ability. He sees the field well and has a very competitive nature. There is what I would call a `disciplined mean streak' within Jimmy. He understands that there are times when you have to be a little nasty to make a play but that you have to do it in a disciplined way."

Villanova will open the Big East season when they travel to Syracuse on Sept. 6.