SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference's women's soccer head coaches have chosen UNCG as the narrow favorite to win its sixth consecutive conference women's soccer championship in 2011. The group also selected an 11-player preseason all-conference team.
The Spartans were a perfect 11-0 in league play a year ago, sweeping through the regular season and conference tournament to win their fifth straight regular season crown and third tournament title in five years. The Spartans are under the direction of new head coach Steve Nugent in 2011 and return five starters from last season's unbeaten squad.
UNCG claimed seven-of-12 first-place votes and 112 total points to lead the balloting, finishing one point ahead of Samford.
The Spartans placed a league-high three players on the preseason all-conference team, including midfielder Jaimey Etten, defender Cat Barnekow and goalkeeper Kelsey Kearney, who was the 2010 SoCon Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
Samford, entering its fourth season as a SoCon member, is in pursuit of its first SoCon title. The Bulldogs have finished second to UNCG each of the past two seasons while also placing as the SoCon Tournament runner-up in 2010.
Coach Todd Yelton's squad received the remaining five first-place nods. The Bulldogs are led by preseason all-conference selection, Michelle Moll, a sophomore midfielder.
Coming in third place in the preseason poll was The Citadel with 89 total points. Under the direction of two-time SoCon Coach of the Year Bob Winch, the Bulldogs boast last season's Player and Freshman of the Year, Mariana Garcia, on the all-league squad.
College of Charleston (86 points) grabbed the fourth spot in the balloting and was followed by Elon (82), Furman (77), Davidson (69) and Western Carolina (46) in the fifth through eighth positions, respectively. Appalachian State (42), Wofford (32), Georgia Southern (26) and Chattanooga (20) closed out the poll.
Other individuals named to the preseason all-SoCon team include forwards Martha Hall (Furman) and Donna-Kay Henry (Chattanooga), midfielders Rachel Shelnutt (Furman) and Sarah Schaidle (College of Charleston), and defenders Hannah Gmerek (College of Charleston) and Andrea Keller (Elon).
Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team or players in the balloting.
The 2011 regular season begins on Friday, August 19 with eight of the conference's 12 teams in action. The 2011 SoCon Women's Soccer Championship will feature the top eight teams in the final regular season standings with the final four facing off in Greensboro, N.C., on Nov. 4 and 6.
2011 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. UNCG (7) 112
2. Samford (5) 111
3. The Citadel 89
4. College of Charleston 86
5. Elon 82
6. Furman 77
7. Davidson 69
8. Western Carolina 46
9. Appalachian State 42
10. Wofford 32
11. Georgia Southern 26
12. Chattanooga 20
() denotes first-place votes
2011 Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team
F Mariana Garcia, The Citadel
F Martha Hall, Furman
F Donna-Kay Henry, Chattanooga
MF Sarah Schaidle, College of Charleston
MF Rachel Shelnutt, Furman
MF Jaimey Etten, UNCG
MF Michelle Moll, Samford
D Hannah Gmerek, College of Charleston
D Andrea Keller, Elon
D Cat Barnekow, UNCG
GK Kelsey Kearney, UNCG