Aug. 20, 2008

Greenville, S.C. --The Furman women’s soccer team, which finished third a year ago and claimed the Southern Conference Tournament championship, have been picked second in the 2008 SoCon Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released on Wednesday by the league office.

UNC Greensboro, the defending regular season champions, received 10 of 12 first place votes to grab the top spot in the preseason poll while Furman and Davidson tied for second with 101 total points. League Newcomer Samford was fourth followed by College of Charleston, Western Carolina, Appalachian State, Elon, Wofford, Georgia Southern, The Citadel and Chattanooga.

Midfielder Rachel Fry, defender Ashley Creavalle and goalkeeper Briana da Mota were named to the 11-member preseason All-SoCon squad. Fry, a senior, ranked second in the league in goals and total points last season behind fellow Paladin and SoCon Player-of-the-Year Anna Betton. A sophomore, Creavalle earned second team all-league honors as a freshman at marking back. Da Mota, a junior from Lilburn, Ga., battled injuries to rank among the league leaders in shutouts in 2007.

Furman opens the 2008 season hosting Coastal Carolina in the opening round of the Select Kickoff Classic on August 29, at Stone Soccer Stadium.

2008 Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll

1. UNC Greensboro (10) 118

2t. Davidson (1) 101

2t. Furman 101

4. Samford 87

5. College of Charleston (1) 86

6. Western Carolina 78

7. Appalachian State 64

8. Elon 47

9. Wofford 43

10. Georgia Southern 36

11. The Citadel 17

12. Chattanooga 15

*Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.

 

2008 Women’s Soccer Preseason All-Southern Conference Team

F Kyri Bye-Nagel, Davidson

F Kristin Player, UNC Greensboro

F Kelly Attayek, UNC Greensboro

F Ashley Toussaint, Georgia Southern

MF Rachel Fry, Furman

MF Katelynn Donovan, UNC Greensboro

MF Katie Browne, College of Charleston

D Danielle Jordan, College of Charleston

D Ashley Creavalle, Furman

D Jamie Corti, UNC Greensboro

GK Briana da Mota, Furman