Aug. 8, 2007

Spartanburg, S.C. - The USC Upstate women's soccer team has been picked to finish 11th in the Atlantic Sun Conference preseason coaches poll that was released today.

This season will mark the Spartans first in the Atlantic Sun Conference as well as Division I. Upstate will open the season Sept. 1 against South Carolina State at 7 p.m.

Kennesaw State was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Sun, garnering 10 of the 12 first place votes. The Owls also had three players (defenseman Whitney Marler, midfielder Maylee Attin-Jounson, and midfielder Sara Clapham) chosen to the preseason all-conference team, the most selections of any team.

Stetson was slated to finish second and Jacksonville third. Jacksonville forward Keri Zwikker was chosen as the Preseason Player of the Year by the coaches.

East Tennessee State was picked to finish fourth followed by Mercer at fifth, Gardner-Webb sixth, North Florida seventh, and Campbell and Belmont tied for eighth. Florida Gulf Coast was chosen to finish 10th and Lipscomb 12th.

Atlantic Sun Preseason Coaches Poll (first place votes)

1. Kennesaw State (10) 142
2. Stetson (1) 121
3. Jacksonville 106
4. East Tennessee State 93
5. Mercer 89
6. Gardner-Webb (1) 86
7. North Florida 76
8. (tie) Campbell 61
8. (tie) Belmont 61
10. Florida Gulf Coast 59
11. USC Upstate 23
12. Lipscomb 19