DENVER— The University of Hawai'i women's soccer team has been selected to finish seventh in the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Preseason Poll as determined by a vote of the league's eight head coaches. San Jose State and Utah State tied for the top spot as the favorite for this year's title.
The Rainbow Wahine finished eighth in the WAC last year with a 1-5-2 record (3-14-3 overall) in Pinsoom Tenzing's 17
th and final season as head coach. UH is now under the leadership of first-year head coach
Michele Nagamine, who welcomes back 18 letterwinners—including eight starters—from last year's squad. A total of 11 newcomers also join the team.
The Rainbow Wahine received 17 points in the poll, just one less than sixth-place pick Nevada. UH opens the season at home against Washington State on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7:00 p.m.
San Jose State and Utah State each received three first place votes and 42 total points. The two teams shared the 2010 regular season title with identical 5-2-1 WAC records. San Jose State returns 10 of its 11 starters from last year, while Utah State welcomes back eight starters from last year's squad.
Last year's WAC Tournament champion Fresno State was voted to finish third, receiving two first place votes with a tally of 38 total points. Idaho was selected fourth with 33 points. The Vandals tied for third last season with a 5-3-0 record. Louisiana Tech was picked fifth with 20 points after tying for third last season with a 5-3-0 mark. Nevada, Hawai'i and New Mexico State (11 points) round out the poll.
The 2011 WAC preseason all-conference soccer team and Players of the Year were also announced as voted on by the league's head coaches. Idaho junior forward Chelsea Small garnered Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, while San Jose State senior defender Jessica Ingram was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for a second straight year.
San Jose State led WAC teams with four preseason all-conference selections. Idaho and Utah State each had three honorees, while Fresno State had one representative.
This year's WAC Soccer Tournament heads to Fresno State Soccer/Lacrosse Field in Fresno, Calif. The six-team tournament will be held November 3-4, 6.
2011 Coaches' Poll
Team (1st place votes) -Points
T-1. San Jose State (3) - 42
T-1. Utah State (3) - 42
3. Fresno State (2) - 38
4. Idaho - 33
5. Louisiana Tech - 20
6. Nevada - 18
7. Hawai'i - 17
8. New Mexico State - 11
2011 Preseason All-WAC Team
Chelsea Small, Jr., F, Idaho
Kelsey Lord, Jr., F, San Jose State
Kayla Santacruz, So., F, San Jose State
Shantel Flanary, Sr., F, Utah State
Jill Flockhart, Jr., MF, Idaho
Lauren Sanchez, Sr., MF, San Jose State
Chandra Salmon-Christensen, Sr., MF, Utah State
Kendall VanDine, Sr., D, Fresno State
Jessica Ingram, Sr., D, San Jose State
Natalie Norris, Jr., D, Utah State
Liz Boyden, Sr., GK, Idaho
Preseason Players of the Year
Offensive: Chelsea Small, Jr., F, Idaho
Defensive: Jessica Ingram, Sr., D, San Jose State
-UH-
