Women's Soccer Picked Second in Big Sky Preseason Poll
OGDEN, Utah - Defending Big Sky
Champion Northern Arizona collected two first-place votes,
collecting 40 points overall in being picked to finish second in
the Big Sky in the preseason coaches poll. The Lumberjacks come
into the season with 10 returning starters from last season's
championship squad, including 2008 Newcomer of the Year Jenna
Samora. Samora finished her freshman season with 16 points and
seven goals, placing her third in the conference in points and tied
for second in goals.
The Big Sky Conference coaches selected Weber State as the
favorite to win the 2009 soccer championship.
The Wildcats won the regular season title last season but were
defeated on their own pitch by Northern Arizona in the Big Sky
Championship match. Even without four time All-Conference selection
Hayley McCoy, the coaches think that Weber State returns enough
talent to win the conference title. Weber State received six of the
seven first-place votes for a near unanimous selection. Coaches
could not vote for their own team.
Last season’s favorite, Sacramento State, looks to rebound
from missing the conference tournament last season. Before 2008,
the Hornets had made three straight appearances in the postseason.
The coaches think the Hornets will return to the tournament and
voted them third with 38 points.
Montana, Portland State, Northern Colorado, Idaho State, and
Eastern Washington round out the poll. Both Montana and Portland
State were conference tournament participants in 2008.
The first conference matches are slated for Oct. 8. The top four
teams from the regular season will advance to the Big Sky
Championship Nov. 5 & 8 at the site of the regular-season
champion.
Complete results of the poll are below. A first-place vote was
worth seven points, a second-place vote worth six points, etc.
2009 Big Sky Soccer Preseason
Coaches Poll
School (First-Place Votes) Points
1. Weber State (6) 48
2. Northern Arizona (2) 40
3. Sacramento State 38
4. Montana 28
5. Portland State 27
6. Northern Colorado 20
7. Idaho State 15
8. Eastern Washington 8
-- Big Sky Release --
