Aug. 13, 2008

Loyola Marymount has been picked to finish fourth in the West Coast Conference, according to the preseason coaches poll that was announced Wednesday. The Lions received 30 points while defending champions Portland were again picked as the favorites.

LMU went 12-6-1 overall in 2007 in Head Coach Joe Mallia's first year with the program. The 12 victories were the second-most all-time at LMU and the Lions turned in their second-highest finish in the WCC by tying for third with a 4-3-1 mark. They return 23 letterwinners and nine starters, including all-conference performers Stefanie Baduria, Tiffany Harrison, Kim Feeney, and Lily Sorentino.

Voting was conducted by the eight WCC coaches, who were not allowed to vote for themselves in ranking the teams 1-7. Portland garnered the most overall points (49) and first-place votes (seven), followed by Santa Clara with 42 points and the remaining first-place vote. San Diego (37 points) was picked third with the Lions fourth at 30 points. Pepperdine (24) was fifth followed by Gonzaga (22), San Francisco (11), and Saint Mary's (nine).

LMU opens its 2008 campaign with an exhibition match this Saturday against Texas at 1 p.m. The regular season gets underway next Friday, August 22 when the Lions host UNLV at 4 p.m.

2008 WCC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Portland - 49 (7)
2. Santa Clara - 42 (1)
3. San Diego - 37
4. Loyola Marymount - 30
5. Pepperdine - 24
6. Gonzaga - 22
7. San Francisco - 11
8. Saint Mary's - 9
(First place votes)