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2015 WAC PRESEASON POLL AND AWARDS
Seattle U is the favorite to win the 2015 Western Athletic Conference women's soccer title as determined by a vote of the league's eight head coaches. Seattle U was selected first in the poll, receiving six first place votes for 47 total points. The Redhawks return six of their 11 starters from a team that went 15-4-3 in 2014 and finished tied for first in WAC play with an 8-1-1 record.
The 2015 WAC preseason all-conference women's soccer team and preseason Players of the Year were also announced by the league's head coaches. Grand Canyon junior forward Maria Monterroso garnered Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors and Utah Valley senior goalkeeper Jessica Duffin was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Place |
Team (first place votes) |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Seattle U (6) |
47 |
| 2. |
Grand Canyon |
39 |
| 3. |
Missouri-Kansas City (1) |
38 |
| 4. |
Utah Valley (1) |
35 |
| 5. |
CSU Bakersfield |
23 |
| 6t. |
NM State |
17 |
| 6t. |
UTRGV |
17 |
| 8. |
Chicago State |
8 |
Preseason All-WAC Team
Milla Benedetti, So., F, Grand Canyon
Maria Monterroso, Jr., F, Grand Canyon
Andreya Barrera, So., F, UTRGV
Kasandra Anderson, Sr., MF, Utah Valley
Natasha Howe, Jr., MF, Seattle U
Holly Abdelkader, So., MF, NM State
Kiana Kraft, Sr., D, Seattle U
Erika Teson, Sr., D, Missouri-Kansas City
Maja Green, So., D, CSU Bakersfield
Jessica Duffin, Sr., GK, Utah Valley
Blakely Fraasch, So., GK, Grand Canyon
REGULAR SEASON FORMAT
The institutions will be divided into two divisions and teams will play the other teams in its division twice and the teams in the other division once for a total of 10 matches. The points system is as follows: each team will receive three points for a win and one point for a tie.
TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE
To determine championship seeding in the event of ties between two or more teams, the following criteria are applied:
In the event of a two-way tie:
1. Head-to-head competition
2. Compare the teams' records to that of the next highest finishing team (if tie for first). If tie is for position other than first, comparison will begin at the top of the standings.
3. Compare the tied teams' goal differentials within Conference games (up to a maximum of three goals).
4. Compare the tied teams' goals scored within Conference games (up to a maximum of three goals).
5. In the unlikely event that teams are still tied, the conference conducts a draw.
For a three or more-way tie:
1. The team(s) with the best record(s) versus the other tied teams the tied teams have played same number of times receives the higher seed or advances to the next tie-breaker; the team with the next best record versus the other tied teams receives the next highest seed or advances to the next tie breaker, etc.
2. If the tie is for first place, compare the tied teams' records against the next highest finishing team and continue through the standings. The team with the best record/winning percentage against the next highest finishing team or group of tied teams advances. If the tie is for any position other than first place, the comparison shall begin at the top of the standings.
3. Compare the goal differential in games between the tied teams (up to a maximum of three goals).
4. Compare the goals scored in games between the tied teams (up to a maximum of three goals).
5. Compare the goal differential in Conference games between the tied teams (up to a maximum of three goals).
6. Compare the goals scored in Conference games between the tied teams (up to a maximum of three goals).
7. If a tie still remains, the Conference office shall conduct a draw.
2015 WAC TOURNAMENT
The WAC Men's Soccer Tournament will be held In Bakersfield, Calif., Nov. 5-6 and 8. The top six eligible teams will participate (Grand Canyon is ineligible due to its transition from Division II to Division I).
Quarterfinals - Thursday, Nov. 5
Match 1-No. 3 vs. No. 6, TBA
Match 2-No. 4 vs. No. 5, TBA
Semifinals - Friday, Nov. 6
Match 3-No. 2 vs. Winner Match 1, TBA
Match 4-No. 1 vs. Winner Match 2, TBA
Championship - Sunday, Nov. 8
Match 5-Championship, TBA
All times Pacific/Subject to change
2015 PERSONNEL CAPSULE
From the 2014 season, all but NM State return a majority of starters in 2015. UTRGV leads the way with nine starters returning while NM State will have the most new faces, having to replace eight starters from a year ago.
| Team |
LR |
LL |
SR |
SL |
| CSU Bakersfield |
10 |
11 |
6 |
5 |
| Chicago State |
13 |
11 |
6 |
5 |
| Grand Canyon |
22 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
| Missouri-Kansas City |
12 |
9 |
6 |
5 |
| Seattle U |
10 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
| UTRGV |
11 |
7 |
8 |
3 |
| Utah Valley |
15 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
NCAA OPPONENTS
WAC teams will play in 12 matches against teams that played in the NCAA Tournament last year. Six of the matches will be played at WAC home sites with Missouri-Kansas City hosting two with NM State, Seattle U, UTRGV and Utah Valley each hosting one. Missouri-Kansas City leads all teams with three matches against postseason participants, followed by two each for Grand Canyon, Seattle U and UTRGV. NM State and Utah Valley will play one.
Aug. 21 Utah Valley at San Diego State
Aug. 21 Washington State at Seattle U
Aug. 21 Northern Arizona at Grand Canyon
Aug. 28 Seattle U at Washington
Aug. 28 Prairie View A&M at UTRGV
Sept. 4 South Dakota State at Missouri-Kansas City
Sept. 6 SIU-Edwardsville at Chicago State
Sept. 13 Grand Canyon at Florida State
Sept. 13 Missouri-Kansas City at Arkansas
Sept. 13 UTRGV at Houston Baptist
Sept. 20 Oklahoma State at Missouri-Kansas City
Sept. 20 Prairie View A&M at NM State