July 2, 2009

Charlotte, NC - Two members of the Charlotte 49ers men's soccer team were selected preseason All-Atlantic 10 in a vote by the league's 14 head coaches. Senior midfielder Adam Gross, who was a 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, was named to the preseason All-Atlantic 10 team. While freshman midfielder Steven Saballos was named to the preseason Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team.

Last season, Gross played a major role in helping the 49ers earn their first national ranking since 1998. Charlotte captured three regular-season tournament titles en route to 12 wins.

Last year, Gross earned honorable-mention All-Atlantic 10 honors after finishing the season second on the team with six goals, six assists and 18 points. He ranked among the A-10 leaders in all three offensive categories. He was team captain and started all 19 games for the 49ers. He also earned North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association All-State honors as well.

In 2008, Gross was named a third-team ESPN The Magazine men's soccer Academic All-American. Gross, who has a 3.74 GPA in Business Management, was named to the Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference team as well.

Saballos, who is a midfielder from Miami, Florida, played for the Miami Kendall F.C. in the United States Academy League. He is a United States U-18 National Team Pool player as well as a member of the Florida ODP State team. He is a four-year letterwinner who earned All-Dade County honors at John Ferguson Senior High School.

Gross, Saballos and the rest of the 49ers men's soccer team kickoff the 2009 season when they host Gardner-Webb in an exhibition match at Transamerica Field, Sunday, August 23 at 7 pm. The 49ers begin the regular-season at South Carolina, Tuesday, September 1 at 7 pm.