August 21, 2008
COLLEGE STATION, Texas- The Texas A&M soccer team opens the regular season ranked 10th in the nation, it was announced by the SoccerTimes.com preseason rankings. The Aggies play their first game of the 2008 campaign against Rhode Island at the Aggie Soccer Stadium on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
With the 2008 ranking, A&M has been in the national top 10 every year since 1995.
“This is an exciting time of the year,” said A&M head coach G Guerrieri. “We have a young and talented team and we’re looking forward to opening the season at home. We’re especially thrilled to get our team in front of the 12th Man this season.”
The Aggies’ roster this year consists of two seniors, six juniors, six sophomores and 13 freshmen. Twelve newcomers join the experience of 12 returning letterwinners for the season opener.
Friday marks the first meeting between A&M and Rhode Island. The Rams return four starters and 10 letterwinners to a team that finished the 2007 season 12-6-2 and seventh in the Atlantic 10.
A&M ranked 11th in the TopDrawerSoccer.com poll, 20th in Soccer America’s rankings and was tagged 15th last week by National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Big 12 schools Texas, Oklahoma State and Missouri were each in the top 25. Texas sits in the top 10 in two polls, while OSU and Missouri were 19th or beyond.
Defending national champion USC received the top spot in the SoccerTimes.com poll and in Soccer America’s Preseason Top 25 rankings. Florida State was tabbed first according to TopDrawerSoccer.com. USC, UCLA, North Carolina, Florida State and Notre Dame were consistently in the top five in each poll.
Aggies All-Access provides free video streaming and live stats of Friday’s season opener on AggieAthletics.com. In addition, fans can purchase tickets online or by calling 1-888-99-AGGIE.