Soccer Picked Fourth in West in SEC Coaches Poll
8/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 19, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alabama women's soccer team was selected to finish fourth in the Western Division as announced by the Southeastern Conference Wednesday and voted upon by the 12 head coaches. The Crimson Tide enters the 2009 campaign after finishing fourth in the division last year after posting a 9-9-2 overall record.
"Being voted in that spot was predictable for me," Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "It is exactly where we finished last year and we are still in the phase of trying to earn the respect of our peers. That opportunity is right before us as the season is here."
Florida was selected as the favorite to claim the 2009 SEC women's soccer title by the league's 12 head coaches. This marks the 12th year that Florida has been tabbed by the coaches to win the title.
Each of the opposing SEC coaches cast their vote for the Gators to win their fourth consecutive SEC Championship. Florida returns eight starters, including All-SEC performers Ashlee Elliott and Lauren Hyde, from last season's squad that posted an 11-0-0 mark in league play.
The Gators were selected tops in the East by garnering 66 total points (11 first-place votes), ahead of Georgia's 53 points. Georgia returns nine starters, including First Team All-SEC performer Carrie Patterson.
In the West, LSU was first with 63 total points (eight first-place votes) compared to Auburn's 58 points (four first-place votes). LSU returns eight starters from last year's squad that won a share of the SEC Western Division with a 7-3-1 record in league play. Auburn returns nine starters from 2008, including SEC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-SEC pick Katy Frierson.
Points were compiled on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for each division, though each coach was not allowed to vote for their own team. Each coach also voted for one team as an overall conference champion.
The 2009 season begins August 21, with conference play set to begin September 25. The 2009 SEC Tournament will be held November 4-8 at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Ala.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
SEC Champion: Florida (11); Auburn (1)
Eastern Division
Florida (11) 66
Georgia (1) 53
Tennessee 43
S. Carolina 40
Vanderbilt 25
Kentucky 19
Western Division
LSU (8) 63
Auburn (4) 58
Ole Miss 43
Alabama 39
Arkansas 25
Miss. State 18
