PARK RIDGE, IL – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2013 women’s soccer preseason coaches’ poll and players to watch list on Wednesday, with defending champion Penn State earning top honors among the 12 conference teams. The Nittany Lions enter the season as the conference favorites after winning their 15th straight Big Ten title in 2012, the most consecutive titles by a Big Ten women’s program in any sport.
Penn State compiled a 10-0-1 record in Big Ten play (21-4-2 overall) last season and advanced to the national championship game. Michigan checks in at No. 2 in the preseason poll, followed by Illinois (No. 3), Ohio State (No. 4) and Wisconsin (No. 5). The complete preseason coaches’ poll and the players to watch list can be found below.
The 2013 season officially kicks off on Friday, Aug. 23, with all 12 conference teams in action.
BIG TEN WOMEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
1. Penn State
2. Michigan
3. Illinois
4. Ohio State
5. Wisconsin
6. Iowa
7. Minnesota
8. Northwestern
9. Nebraska
10. Michigan State
11. Purdue
12. Indiana
BIG TEN WOMEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nicole Breece, Illinois, So., Midfielder/Forward
Kassidy Brown, Illinois, Sr., Defender
Vanessa DiBernardo, Illinois, Sr., Midfielder
Rebecca Candler, Indiana, Sr., Forward
Lisa Nouanesengsy, Indiana, Sr., Midfielder
Lara Ross, Indiana, Sr., Defender
Ashley Catrell, Iowa, Sr., Forward/Midfielder
Cloe Lacasse, Iowa, Jr., Forward
Alex Melin, Iowa, Sr., Midfielder
Nkem Ezurike, Michigan, Sr., Forward
Corinne Harris, Michigan, So., Forward
Meghan Toohey, Michigan, Sr., Midfielder
Nicole Caruso, Michigan State, Jr., Defender/Midfielder
Megan Marsack, Michigan State, Jr., Midfielder
Paige Wester, Michigan State, Jr., Forward
Haley Helverson, Minnesota, So., Forward
MacKenzie Misel, Minnesota, Sr., Defender
Katie Thyken, Minnesota, Jr., Midfielder
Mayme Conroy, Nebraska, Jr., Forward
Jordan Jackson, Nebraska, Sr., Forward
Ari Romero, Nebraska, Sr., Defender
Kate Allen, Northwestern, Sr., Forward
Jackie Alyinovich, Northwestern, Jr., Defender
Margo McGinty, Northwestern, So., Defender/Midfielder
Lindsay Agnew, Ohio State, Fr., Forward
Megan Fuller, Ohio State, Sr., Defender
Nichelle Prince, Ohio State, Fr., Forward
Whitney Church, Penn State, Jr., Defender
Maya Hayes, Penn State, Sr., Forward
Raquel Rodriguez, So., Penn State, Forward/Midfielder
Alex Hairston, Purdue, Jr., Forward
Jordan Pawlik, Purdue, Sr., Midfielder/Forward
Hadley Stuart, Purdue, Sr., Forward
Rose Lavelle, Wisconsin, Fr., Midfielder/Forward
Kinley McNicoll, Wisconsin, So., Midfielder
Cara Walls, Wisconsin, Jr., Forward
