Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 15, 2007 14:45:14 GMT -5
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN — The West Virginia University women’s soccer team has been chosen to win the Big East American Division title, a program first.
“This is a very exciting time for our program to be picked as favorites in the Big East,” coach Nikki Izzo-Brown said. “We have finished first in years past, but to start the preseason first and end the season in first will be challenging.
“We haven’t played a game yet. But we’ll continue to work hard and stay focused on bringing a championship back to Morgantown.”
The Mountaineers return nine starters as they look to repeat as American Division champions. WVU garnered 10 of the 16 first-place votes in balloting by the league’s 16 head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own players or teams.
WVU also placed two players on the preseason all-Big East team in juniors Amanda Cicchini and Deana Everrett. The duo totaled 22 goals and 54 points in 2006 as WVU made its seventh straight NCAA tournament appearance.
Notre Dame received 15 first-place votes and was picked to win the National Division. The Irish, like West Virginia, also won their division title last year.
Big East play begins on Sept. 21, as all 16 teams are in action over eight games. Each team plays seven opponents within its division and four opponents from the other division.
The Mountaineers open the 2007 campaign at home against Bowling Green on Friday, Aug. 31.
© 2007, The Times West Virginian
P.O. Box 2530, Fairmont, West Virginia
(304) 367-2500
MORGANTOWN — The West Virginia University women’s soccer team has been chosen to win the Big East American Division title, a program first.
“This is a very exciting time for our program to be picked as favorites in the Big East,” coach Nikki Izzo-Brown said. “We have finished first in years past, but to start the preseason first and end the season in first will be challenging.
“We haven’t played a game yet. But we’ll continue to work hard and stay focused on bringing a championship back to Morgantown.”
The Mountaineers return nine starters as they look to repeat as American Division champions. WVU garnered 10 of the 16 first-place votes in balloting by the league’s 16 head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own players or teams.
WVU also placed two players on the preseason all-Big East team in juniors Amanda Cicchini and Deana Everrett. The duo totaled 22 goals and 54 points in 2006 as WVU made its seventh straight NCAA tournament appearance.
Notre Dame received 15 first-place votes and was picked to win the National Division. The Irish, like West Virginia, also won their division title last year.
Big East play begins on Sept. 21, as all 16 teams are in action over eight games. Each team plays seven opponents within its division and four opponents from the other division.
The Mountaineers open the 2007 campaign at home against Bowling Green on Friday, Aug. 31.
© 2007, The Times West Virginian
P.O. Box 2530, Fairmont, West Virginia
(304) 367-2500
