Thursday, August 18, 2005

LADY SAINTS PICKED 8TH IN PEACH BELT PRESEASON POLL

AUGUSTA, GA – In its first season in the Peach Belt Conference, the North Georgia College & State University women's soccer team is picked to finish eighth overall in the Peach Belt Conference preseason coaches poll.

Third year head coach Chris Adams will look to shake up the PBC this fall with a solid core of newcomers and returning veterans. The Lady Saints finished last season 12-8-2 overall and 7-4-0 in conference. Last season, North Georgia was 1-2-1 in matches against PBC opponents, with a win over Georgia College & State University 1-0 and a tie against USC-Aiken.

By the narrowest margin in PBC history, the USC Upstate Spartans edged out the Clayton University Lakers to be the favorite to capture the 2005 women's soccer championship. USC Upstate took five of a possible eight first-place votes for Clayton State had the remaining four first-place votes for 59 points. Columbus State finished third while Pembroke was fourth and Lander fifth.

2005 will feature an entirely different Peach Belt Conference. Perennial power North Florida has departed for Division I and the league welcomed in NGCSU this year. Also joining women's soccer ranks is Armstrong Atlantic State University, which begins the sport this fall.

USC Upstate returns after finishing 12-2-3 and in second place in the PBC in 2004. The Spartans four starters from last year's team and return a strong defensive unit with senior goalkeeper Diana Wabnitz defenders Tara Clarini-Black , Katrina Meyer and Veronica Lewis . Upstate did lose some offensive production, All-Conference forward Brittanee Gourdine who tied for the team lead with 18 points a year ago.

Clayton State made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and appears to again this season. The Lakers return nine starters from last season's 13-6-1 team, including Olaitan Yusuf , PBC single-season scoring record last year with 35 goals and was the PBC Freshman of the Year. Also back is senior goalkeeper Judith Chime , a three-time All-Conference selection.

Columbus State founded their program last year and endured growing pains to a 3-9-5 record with largely of freshmen. But most of those players are back for coach Jay Entlich , who has three of his scorers returning and starting keeper Megan Robey .

Below is the 2005 preseason coaches poll. Teams receiving a first-place vote were awarded eight points, second place seven points and so on. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. The 2005 women's soccer season begins on Aug. 25 and continues on to the PBC Tournament, which begins Nov. 1.

 

School	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	Total
1. USC Upstate	5	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	60
2. Clayton State	4	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	59
3. Columbus State	0	3	1	3	1	0	0	0	46
4. UNC Pembroke	0	1	3	3	1	0	0	0	44
5. Lander	0	0	2	1	4	1	0	0	36
6. Armstorng Atlantic	0	0	1	1	2	0	2	2	25
7. GC&SU	0	0	0	1	0	3	3	1	21
8. North Georgia	0	0	0	0	0	4	3	1	19
9. USC Aiken	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	5	14

Back to Women's Soccer