HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison sophomore Luca Nikolai was tabbed to the TopDrawerSoccer Preseason All-American Third Team, the outlet announced Tuesday morning.

In addition, the outlet ranked Nikolai 32nd in its Preseason Top 100 list.

The defender started all 20 matches on the backline for the Dukes a season ago, receiving All-Sun Belt First Team honors while also being named a First Team Freshman All-American by TopDrawerSoccer and College Soccer News. Offensively, he recorded a goal while assisting on four more for a total of six points while helping anchor a backline that defensively recorded five shutouts and limited opponents to 1.20 goals per game.

A Preseason All-Sun Belt Team selection ahead of this season already, Nikolai and the 18th-ranked Dukes will open the season on Thursday, Aug. 22 at CSUN with a 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT kickoff.

— JMU Athletics —