University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Conference USA Announces Preseason Soccer Poll
8/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 18, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss was picked to finish 12th in the Conference USA preseason coaches poll, the league announced today.
Southern Miss, under the direction of Head Coach Gail Macklin, returns 10 starters and 17 letterwinners from last year's team that finished 4-9-2.
Among the team's top returners is sophomore Sarah McFadden, a 2005 Conference USA All-Freshman selection, who returns a team-best six goals and 13 points this season. Senior Kim Turner returns five goals, one assist and 11 points, while senior Carly Barkley returns four goals, along with a squad-best three assists and 40 shots. Senior Sarah Brennan returns three goals, while junior Megan Kolts returns one.
Defensively, the Lady Eagles return sophomore Holly Cox, who posted 53 saves in goal last year. Also returning on defense is senior Katie Warmington and juniors Jackie Ryan and Erin Bunyard.
The Lady Eagles kicked off their season on Thursday, falling 3-2 to Samford in the closing seconds of the match. Sophomore Jessica Stephens and McFadden scored the team's goals, while Cox finished with five saves.
Southern Miss opens the 2006 season on Friday, August 25 at Middle Tennesee State in a 7 p.m., contest The Lady Eagles open their home schedule Friday, September 1, hosting Murray State in a 4 p.m., match.
2006 Conference USA Preseason Awards:
Preseason All-Conference USA Team:
Sophia Mundy, Sr., F/MF, Houston (Katy, Texas)
Shoko Mikami, Sr., F, Memphis (Chiba, Japan)
Beth Martin, Jr., D, Rice (Austin, Texas)
Caitlin Robbins, So., F, Rice (Houston, Texas)
Kimber Bailey, Jr., F/MF, SMU (Garland, Texas)
Ashley Gunter, So., GK, SMU (Lancaster, Pa.)
Carley Phillips, So., D, SMU (Plano, Texas)
Jill Porto, Jr., MF, UAB (Woodbridge, Va.)
Roberta Pelarigo, Jr., F/MF, UCF (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Brittany Popoff, Jr., GK, UTEP (Westbank, B.C.)
Jami Tullius, Jr., F, UTEP (El Paso, Texas)
Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player Of The Year:
Sophia Mundy, Sr., F/MF, Houston (Katy, Texas)
Conference USA Preseason Defensive Player Of The Year:
Beth Martin, Jr., D, Rice (Austin, Texas)
Predicted Order Of Finish:
1. SMU
2. UCF
3. Rice
4. Memphis
5. UTEP
6. Colorado College
7. UAB
8. Houston
9. East Carolina
10. Tulsa
11. Marshall
12. Southern Miss
