Wisconsin Soccer Central

The Marquette men's soccer team might have surprised some teams during its phenomenal 2012 season.

But the Golden Eagles won't sneak up on anybody this year.

Marquette was ranked eighth in the College Soccer News Preseason Top 30, which was released Monday. The website's writers are expecting another big season for the Golden Eagles, who finished 16-4-1 last fall.

"Marquette will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the men's soccer program with a team that could be the best yet that the Golden Eagles have put on the pitch," CSN wrote of Marquette, which dropped a 1-0 decision to Northwestern in the second round of the NCAA tournament – just the second NCAA berth for the program and first since 1997.

The Golden Eagles, who were ranked as high as No. 2 in national polls last year, are one of five teams in the CSN Preseason Top 30 from the new-look Big East Conference. Georgetown, which advanced to the NCAA final last year, leads the way at No. 2, followed by No. 4 Creighton, No. 8 Marquette, No. 21 St. John's and No. 22 Xavier.

Defending national champion Indiana, led by former University of Wisconsin coach Todd Yeagley, starts the season atop the CSN rankings. Notre Dame is 11th with sophomore forward Patrick Hodan (Milwaukee Marquette), who had six goals and five assists last season, "among those who will be counted on for offensive firepower," according to CSN.