DENVER NCSAA/adidas and Soccer Buzz Magazine announced their preseason polls this week, placing the SMU womens soccer program 24th and ninth, respectively. Last years national champions Santa Clara is first ahead of North Carolina in both.
SMU, who was also picked by the WAC coaches to win the conference title, earned a second-place ranking in the central region in Succer Buzz, behind Texas. Eight starters return for SMU led by 2001 WAC Player of the Year, Tara Comfort.
The Mustangs finished the 2001 season with 16-4 record, advancing to the second-round in the NCAA tournament where they suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to Texas A&M.
2002 NCSAA/adidas Preseason Top 25:
1. Santa Clara
2. North Carolina
3. UCLA
4. Portland
5. Texas A&M
6. Virginia
7. Notre Dame
8. Penn State
9. Connecticut
T10. Nebraska, Texas
12. Stanford
13. Florida
14. Clemson
15. California
16. St. Mary's College
17. Florida State
18. Michigan
19. Rutgers
20. Dartmouth
22. Washington
23. Illinois
24. SMU
T25. West Virginia, Georgia, Pepperdine
For complete coverage, visit www.nscaa.com.
2002 Soccer Buzz Preseason Top 10:
Rk. Team 2001 Record
1. Santa Clara 23-2
2. North Carolina 24-1
3. Portland 20-4
4. Virginia 17-4-1
5. Stanford 15-4-2
6. Penn State 21-4-1
7. Notre Dame 17-3-1
8. Texas 14-6
9. SMU 16-4
10. Florida State 15-8-1
For complete coverage, visit www.soccerbuzz.com.