Aug. 17, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State's women's soccer team has been picked by the coaches to finish at the top of the conference this year, as announced Friday by the Big Ten. A 2007 championship would mark the Nittany Lions 10th consecutive conference title. Their selection at the top of the poll marks the fifth-straight year that Penn State has been picked to win the Big Ten crown.
Penn State's string of nine consecutive titles is tied for the second-longest championship streak in Big Ten history. The streak is also the longest active streak nationally.
The NSCAA's preseason No. 7 team in the nation, Penn State was followed in the poll by Illinois, which also finished second to the Nittany Lions in 2006. Purdue, Ohio State and Michigan filled out positions three through five with Indiana at No. 6 and Wisconsin at No. 7. Michigan State, Northwestern, Minnesota and Iowa rounded out the preseason survey.
Penn State finished the 2006 slate 18-5-3, earning the program's 12th consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament. With three NCAA victories, the Nittany Lions made their eighth appearance in the NCAA quarterfinals in the past nine years and finished in the NSCAA's Top 10 for the 10th time.
First year head coach Erica Walsh and the Nittany Lions host Delaware on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. in an exhibition game at Jeffrey Field. Penn State opens its regular season schedule at No. 24 Tennessee on Friday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. and spends the next three games on the road until returning home for the Penn State Invitational on Sept. 14 and 16. The Nittany Lions meet James Madison on Friday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. before their battle with No. 5 Texas A&M on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m.
Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll1. PENN STATE2. Illinois3. Purdue4. Ohio State5. Michigan6. Indiana7. Wisconsin8. Michigan State9. Northwestern10. Minnesota11. Iowa---NITTANY LIONS---