DENVER ?“ Hawai'i has been picked to win its second WAC crown, as selected by the conference?™s head coaches. Hawai'i grabbed its only WAC title in 2003 finishing with a 7-1 WAC record. Last year, the Rainbow Wahine finished fourth, but return six starters and 15 letterwinners, including the 2002 and 2003 WAC Player of the Year, senior Natasha Kai.
With the addition of Idaho, Louisiana Tech and Utah State and the departure of Rice, SMU, UTEP and Tulsa, the WAC has taken on a new format. Along with the Vandals, Lady Techsters and Aggies, Boise State, Fresno State, Hawai'i, Nevada and San Jose State all sponsor a women?™s soccer program. The WAC will continue its regular-season play as a single round-robin format for a total of eight conference matches, but will add in a points system. Each team will receive three points for a win and one point for a tie. The six teams with the most points will advance to the WAC Tournament.
Hawai'i earned 49 points, grabbing seven first-place votes to top the poll. The Rainbow Wahine and 12th-year head coach Pinsoom Tenzing will look to three-time first-team all-WAC member and two-time WAC Player of the Year selection, Natasha Kai to guide the team. Kai is in the WAC?™s career top five in shots, goals and points. Fresno State tallied one first-place vote and 43 points to finish second. The Bulldog?™s nine returning starters are tied (Nevada) for most in the league. They are led by the duo of Cortney Sobrero and Kortney Lewis which led the team scoring a combined 38 points.
Coming in third in the poll is San Jose State registering 35 points. Fourth is Boise State, the host of the 2005 WAC Tournament, with 28 points. Grabbing fifth in the preseason poll is Nevada. The Wolf Pack are looking to advance to their first conference tournament, earning 26 points. Rounding out the field are the WAC?™s newest members. Utah State is sixth with 19 points, Idaho seventh with 17 points and Louisiana Tech seventh with seven points.
Team - Points
Hawai'i - 49 (7)
Fresno State - 43 (1)
San Jose State - 35
Boise State - 28
Nevada - 26
Utah State - 19
Idaho - 17
Louisiana Techs 7