Aug. 1, 2006
Men's Soccer Poll in PDF Format
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Women's Soccer Poll in PDF FormatDownload Free Acrobat Reader
SANTA CLARA, Calif.- The Santa Clara University men's and women's soccer teams were both picked to finish second in the West Coast Conference's preseason coaches polls. The men earned three first place votes and 31 total points to finish one point behind the University of San Francisco for the top spot. The women's team, which has won eight WCC titles, picked up 45 total points to finish two points behind the defending WCC champs, the University of Portland.
Both squads finished the 2005 season in the second position in the WCC. On the women's side, Jerry Smith's squad posted a 4-2-1 record and 13 points, six points behind Portland. With a strong core of returning players, led by All-American defender Marian Dalmy and All-WCC performers Jordan Angeli and Tiffany Roberts, as well as a talented group of underclassmen, the Broncos are looking to reclaim the WCC's top spot.
"We look forward to another competitive WCC season and to making a run at the championship," said Smith, "We feel that the WCC is not just a two-team race as the poll may indicate, but that there are several outstanding teams, and we look forward to every match."
Cameron Rast's men's team put together a 6-4-2 record in conference last year and finished one point behind San Francisco. Led by seniors Keith DeVey and Eric Ustruck, along with junior midfielder Peter Lowry, the Broncos will seek their first WCC title since 2003 and ninth overall.
"The WCC has had a ton of parity over the past few years," said Rast. "Last year was a great example of that as a number of teams were competing for the title heading into the final weeks of the season. We are looking forward to getting started this year and deciding the champion on the field."
The men's team also earned a no. 26 ranking in the College Soccer News preseason poll.
2006 WCC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. San Francisco - 32 (3)
2. Santa Clara - 31 (3)
3. San Diego - 28 (1)
4. Loyola Marymount - 23
5. Portland - 12
Saint Mary's - 12
7. Gonzaga - 9
(First place votes)
2006 WCC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Portland - 47 (5)
2. Santa Clara - 45 (3)
3. Gonzaga - 34
4. Pepperdine - 31
5. San Diego - 23
6. Loyola Marymount - 21
7. Saint Mary's - 15
8. San Francisco - 7
(First place votes)