Women's Soccer: WVU Picked To Win Division
August 13, 2008 04:04 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
August 13, 2008
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| Amanda Cicchini |
“It’s a nice compliment to be chosen first and earn the respect of our BIG EAST peers,” says Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “However, we know there is a lot of work to do for us to end the season atop the standings. It is important to stay focused and work hard in our pursuit of ending the season in first place.”
The Mountaineers garnered nine of the 15 first-place votes in voting done by the league’s 16 head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own players or teams.
Totaling 114 points overall in the American division, WVU edged out Connecticut, which had 111 points. The Mountaineers boast four all-conference preseason selections, more than any other team in the league. Seniors Amanda Cicchini, Greer Barnes and Deana Everrett, along with junior Carolyn Blank, were all named to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team.
Notre Dame received all 15 first-place votes and was picked to win the National Division. The Irish placed a pair of players on the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team.
The BIG EAST is the nation’s largest Division I women's soccer conference. Its 16 members compete in a round robin rotational 11-game schedule within two divisions of eight, utilizing travel partners for crossover play. Each team plays seven opponents within its division and four opponents from the other division.
The 2008 BIG EAST Women's Soccer Championship is a 10-team single-elimination tournament. The top five teams in each division, seeded by conference point total, qualify for the conference championship. Notre Dame’s Alumni Stadium will serve as host for the semifinals (Nov. 7) and finals (Nov. 9).
The Mountaineers open the 2008 campaign at home against Towson on Friday, August 22. Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium will play host to 10 home matches this fall, with the conference home opener scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18, against Pitt.
2008 BIG EAST PRESEASON AWARD WINNERS
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Brittany Bock, Sr., M/F, Notre Dame
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Kelly Eagan, Jr., D, Villanova
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Stephanie Labbe, Sr., Connecticut
2008 ALL-BIG EAST PRESEASON TEAM
Greer Barnes, Sr., M, West Virginia
Carolyn Blank, Jr., M, West Virginia
*Brittany Bock, Sr., M/F, Notre Dame
Amanda Cicchini, Sr., M, West Virginia
Gina DeMaio, Jr., M, Rutgers
Kelly Eagan, Jr., D, Villanova
Elizabeth Eng, Sr., F, Connecticut
Deana Everrett, Sr., F, West Virginia
Sara Jordan, Sr., M, Georgetown
*Kerri Hanks, Sr., F, Notre Dame
Katie Kelly, Sr., D, Marquette
Stephanie Labbe, Sr., GK, Connecticut
Shannon Smyth, Sr., F, Louisville
* - unanimous selection
^ - Due to a tie in voting, two extra members have been added to the BIG EAST Preseason All-Conference Team
2008 BIG EAST PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
American Division --- Overall Pts.
1. West Virginia (9) --- 114
2. Connecticut (7) --- 111
3. Marquette --- 90
4. St. John’s --- 77
5. USF --- 65
6. Providence --- 38
6. Syracuse --- 38
8. Pitt --- 35
