Aug. 17, 2001

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The UNLV women's soccer team was picked fourth in the Mountain West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Friday by the league office.

Conference rival BYU received five first-place votes and collected a total of 36 points to capture the top spot in the poll. Utah was picked second with 31 points and one first place vote, followed by San Diego State (26), UNLV (21), New Mexico (14), Air Force (11) and Wyoming (8).

The Cougars, defending MWC Champions, won the 2000 regular season crown with a perfect 6-0 league record and captured the conference tournament title with a 6-1 victory over Utah.

Last year, the Rebels finished fourth in the conference with a 3-3 record under first year UNLV coach Dan Abdalla, who led his team to an 11-9 overall record for the best season finish ever in school history.

The UNLV women kick off the 2001 season on Friday, Aug. 24, at Peter Johann Memorial Field with a home exhibition game slated against Dixie College at 7:30 p.m.

PRESEASON WOMEN'S SOCCER COACHES POLL
Team (First Place Votes), Pts.
1. BYU (5), 36
2. Utah (1), 31
3. San Diego State, 26
4. UNLV, 21
5. New Mexico, 14
6. Air Force, 11
7. Wyoming, 8