Big South Conference Releases 2012 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference announced its annual women’s soccer preseason poll on Monday morning, tabbing the Presbyterian College Blue Hose to finish 11th.
Campbell leads the poll with four first-place votes, while Radford ranks second with six first-place votes. In addition, the coaches voted Winthrop forward Krystyna Freda the League’s Preseason Attacking Player of the Year and Radford defender Tyler Drake the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
The Blue Hose have exceeded expectations every year since playing their first Big South Conference season in 2008, beating an 11th place prediction last year by finishing ninth.
PC returns 14 letterwinners and eight starters, including seven of eight goal-scorers, from a squad that went 4-13-2 in 2011 and ended the season with a 1-0 shutout of High Point. Head coach Brian Purcell enters his 24th season at the helm and Sarah Beth Anderson joins the coaching staff in her first season as an assistant.
PC received 23 points in the poll, five clear of 12th place VMI.
With PC’s recent Division I certification, the Blue Hose will be eligible for the Big South and NCAA Tournaments this season.
The Blue Hose host South Carolina State in a scrimmage open to the public on Tuesday, August 14 at 7 p.m. The season begins with a road matchup at Francis Marion on Tuesday, August 21 at 7 p.m. and the Blue Hose open their home schedule with a Saturday, September 2 contest against Furman at 7 p.m.
