DENVER— Seattle U was selected as the favorite to win the 2013 Western Athletic Conference women’s soccer title as determined by a vote of the league’s seven head coaches. The 2013 WAC preseason all-conference women’s soccer team and preseason Players of the Year were also announced as voted on by the league’s head coaches.
Seattle U was selected first in the poll as the team received six first place votes for 36 total points. The Redhawks return seven of their 11 starters from a team that went 9-9-2 in 2012 and finished fourth in the WAC.
Idaho and Utah Valley tied to finish second in the poll, each receiving 23 points. UVU did earn one first place vote. Idaho finished sixth in the WAC last season with a 3-4-1 record, while Utah Valley won the Great West Conference title with a perfect 5-0-0 league mark. Bakersfield placed fourth in the poll with 22 points. The Roadrunners went 6-11-2 last season as a Division I independent. New Mexico State was selected fifth with 21 points. The Aggies placed ninth in the WAC last season with a 0-7-1 record. Kansas City was picked sixth with 13 points. The Kangaroos finished sixth in the Summit League last season with a 3-4-1 record. Grand Canyon was seventh with nine points. The ‘Lopes make the transition to Division I this season after wrapping up their final season in Division II with a 9-7-2 overall record in 2012.
Seattle U junior forward Stephanie Verdoia garnered Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, while teammate Julia Besagno (Sr., MF) was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Verdoia, a first team all-WAC honoree last season, led the Redhawks with 10 goals, 21 points, 57 shots and 24 shots on goal 2012. She also earned NSCAA third team all-Pacific region honors and was named to last year’s WAC All-Tournament team.
Besagno earned second team all-WAC honors in 2012 as a midfielder. She helped SU’s defense register four shutouts and tallied three goals last year.
Seattle U and Idaho led WAC teams with three preseason all-conference selections each. Bakersfield and Utah Valley each had two honorees, while New Mexico State had one representative.
The 2013 WAC season is set to kickoff Aug. 23 with all of the WAC's teams in action. The WAC Soccer Tournament heads to New Mexico State's Soccer Complex in Las Cruces, N.M. The four-team tournament will be held November 8 and 10.
2013 WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
Seattle U (6) |
36 |
| T2. |
Idaho |
23 |
| T2. |
Utah Valley (1) |
23 |
| 4. |
Bakersfield |
22 |
| 5. |
New Mexico State |
21 |
| 6. |
Kansas City |
13 |
| 7. |
Grand Canyon |
9 |
2013 Preseason All-WAC Team
| Player |
Yr. |
Pos. |
School |
| Stephanie Verdoia |
Jr. |
F |
Seattle U |
| Emily Noethe |
Jr. |
F |
Bakersfield |
| Layla Todd |
Jr. |
F |
New Mexico State |
| Lexi Robison |
Jr. |
MF |
Utah Valley |
| Julia Besagno |
Sr. |
MF |
Seattle U |
| Erica Shelton |
Sr. |
MF |
Bakersfield |
| Katie Baran |
Jr. |
MF |
Idaho |
| Nitalia Zuniga |
Sr. |
D |
Idaho |
| Mary Hill |
Sr. |
D |
Seattle U |
| Chelsie Breen |
Sr. |
D |
Idaho |
| Lauren Sack |
Sr. |
GK |
Utah Valley |
Preseason Offensive Player of the YearStephanie Verdoia, Jr., F, Seattle U
Preseason Defensive Player of the YearJulia Besagno, Sr., MF, Seattle U