Maryland is the preseason favorite to claim the 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Championship, according to a vote of the league’s 12 head coaches.

The 2012 ACC Champion Terrapins, who return MAC Hermann Trophy winner Patrick Mullins, amassed 142 points in the balloting. North Carolina, which reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship last season, placed second with 122 points in the conference poll.

Maryland led with 10 first-place votes. Wake Forest and Notre Dame, selected third and fourth, respectively, each received one first-place vote. The ballot awarded 12 points for each first-place ballot, 11 points for second place, etc.

Virginia was picked in fifth place, followed by Clemson in sixth, Duke in seventh, and Boston College in the eighth slot. Syracuse, NC State, Virginia, and Pitt rounded out the preseason voting.

Seven current league squads earned a bid to the NCAA Championship in 2012. Maryland reached the Men’s College Cup, marking the 12th straight year that an ACC team has reached that round. Conference teams have won five of the last eight NCAA titles.

Six ACC teams were ranked in the 2013 NSCAA Men’s Soccer Preseason Top 25 released last week, led by Maryland at No. 2. No. 4 North Carolina, No. 7 Notre Dame, No. 17 Wake Forest, No. 20 Syracuse, and No. 25 Virginia will also enter the 2013 season ranked.

The 2013 season gets under way Aug. 30, with all 12 teams in action. Conference play begins the weekend of Sept. 6.

1. Maryland (10) 142 points
2. North Carolina 122
3. Wake Forest (1) 114
4. Notre Dame (1) 110
5. Virginia 106
6. Clemson 69
7. Duke 67
8. Boston College 63
9. Syracuse 54
10. NC State 44
11. Virginia Tech 27
12. Pitt 18

– ACC release