Loggers Favored To Win 10th Consecutive NWC Title
SEATTLE – A poll of the Northwest Conference coaches has once again tabbed the University of Puget Sound women's soccer team to win the conference crown. The Loggers won their ninth consecutive title in 2010 and will look to make it a decade of dominance in 2011.
Last week, the Loggers appeared at No. 24 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's preseason poll. In the NWC poll, the Loggers grabbed seven of the nine first-place votes for 69 total points.
"Polls are fun and we are very honored to be seen as conference champions," commented head coach Randy Hanson. "We'll do our best to go about the daily work of earning it."
Senior Theresa Henle returns for her senior season after earning All-NWC first team honors and ranking second in the conference in scoring in 2010. Goalkeepers Casey Thayer and Jess Yarbrough also return to the Loggers after splitting time in goal last year. However, the Loggers will have to replace NWC Defensive Player of the Year Serwaah Fordjour after she graduated last spring.
All-NWC selections Abby Goss and Christine Isabella also return to the Loggers for their senior campaigns. Hannah Hawkins will also return to the back line after earning All-NWC Honorable Mention as a freshman in 2010.
The Loggers finished 2010 with a 17-2-2 record and a 14-1-1 record in conference play. They also completed a second consecutive undefeated season at home with a 11-0-1 record on their home turf. The Loggers currently have a 21-match unbeaten streak at home, dating to the beginning of 2009 season.
Whitworth was picked to finish second, edging Linfield by one point. Whitman was tabbed fourth with 36 points, narrowly beating out Pacific with 32 points and Willamette with 31 points. George Fox was picked seventh in the annual poll and Lewis & Clark was picked eighth. Pacific Lutheran rounded out the poll in ninth.
The Loggers open their season at home when they host SCIAC champions Cal Lutheran on Sep. 5 at 1 p.m.
