SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? Reigning regular season and tournament champions UNC Greensboro has been selected to repeat as Southern Conference women’s soccer champions by the league’s 11 head coaches. In addition, the coaches have selected 12 student-athletes to the preseason all-conference team, including 10 players who earned all-conference accolades in 2006.
UNC Greensboro received eight of a possible 11 first-place votes to grab the top spot in the poll. Furman finished second in the voting and earned two first-place votes, while Davidson garnered one first-place selection and was tabbed to finish third in the league standings. Western Carolina was chosen to finish in fourth place, ahead of College of Charleston, Appalachian State and Georgia Southern. Elon and Wofford were the eighth and ninth selections, respectively, while Chattanooga and The Citadel rounded out the poll.
In addition to the first-place selection, the Spartans also lead the way with four players selected for the preseason all-conference team. Karla Davis, a first-team all-SoCon selection at midfielder in 2006, highlights the list which also includes forward Kelly Attayek, midfielder Jennifer Bronson and goalkeeper Katherine Ryan.
Three Furman Lady Paladins are on the squad, including a pair of first-team selections from 2006, forward Anna Betton and midfielder Gena Villari. Joining her teammates on the team is defender Mickey Palanza.
Davidson forward Kristen Koehrn and defender Nancy Haskell are the Wildcats’ two honorees. Georgia Southern’s Ashley Toussaint and Western Carolina’s Heather Dittmer, both first-team all-league recipients in 2006, and defender Danielle Jordan from College of Charleston round out the preseason squad.
Southern Conference women’s soccer kicks off the 2007 on Friday, August 31 with 10 of the 11 league teams in action. The 2007 Southern Conference Women’s Soccer Championships begin on Sunday, November 4 with first round matches played on the campuses of the four highest seeds. The semifinal and final rounds will be held November 9 and 11 at the Alumni Soccer Stadium in Davidson, N.C.
2007 Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
1. UNC Greensboro (8) 98
2. Furman (2) 86
3. Davidson (1) 80
4. Western Carolina 74
5. College of Charleston 68
6. Appalachian State 57
7. Georgia Southern 43
8. Elon 39
9. Wofford 28
10. Chattanooga 22
11. The Citadel 10
*Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.
2007 Women’s Soccer Preseason All-Conference
F Kristen Koehrn, Davidson
F Anna Betton, Furman
F Ashley Toussaint, Georgia Southern
F Kelly Attayek, UNC Greensboro
MF Gena Villari, Furman
MF Jennifer Bronson, UNC Greensboro
MF Karla Davis, UNC Greensboro
MF Heather Dittmer, Western Carolina
D Danielle Jordan, College of Charleston
D Nancy Haskell, Davidson
D Mickey Palanza, Furman
GK Katherine Ryan, UNC Greensboro