Aug. 10, 2009

LAS VEGAS - UNLV was picked to finish fifth in the 2009 Mountain West Conference women's soccer preseason poll released Monday morning, while BYU was the favorite to win the 2009 title.

The fifth-place spot in the preseason poll is the lowest spot for the Rebels since the 2000 season when they were ranked sixth in the coaches' preseason poll. UNLV would finish that season in fourth place.

BYU, the 2008 regular season and tournament champion, received seven first place votes for a total of 49 points. TCU, who received the other first place vote, and Utah were both tied for second with 39 points. San Diego State is fourth with 30 points, just two ahead of UNLV (29). New Mexico is sixth (18), Wyoming seventh (14), and Air Force rounds out the poll in eighth with seven points.

The Rebels, under fifth-year head coach Kat Mertz, return eight starters from last year's squad that finished 11-7-3, and 3-3-1 in conference play. Highlighting the returnees is junior all-region forward Ashleigh Shoughro and second-team All-MWC senior goalkeeper Alicia Lugo.

UNLV opens its season on Friday, Aug. 21 when it hosts Loyola Marymount at 7:30 pm.

2009 Mountain West Conference Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll
Place    Team (1st place votes)  Votes1.  BYU (7)         492.  TCU (1)         39    Utah            394.  San Diego State     305.   UNLV            286.  New Mexico      187.  Wyoming         148.  Air Force           7