Aug. 12, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The seventh-ranked Texas A&M soccer team received the top spot in the 2009 Big 12 Soccer Preseason Poll, while four Aggie players were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, the conference announced on Wednesday.
Texas A&M received six of the 10 first-place votes, while Missouri tallied four, however, both teams finished with 91 cumulative points and tied for the first-place preseason ranking.
Colorado was chosen third with 76 points, while Oklahoma State (68) and Texas (66) came in fourth and fifth place, respectively. The remainder of the poll consisted of Kansas (59), Nebraska (53), Texas Tech (39), Oklahoma (28), Baylor (20) and Iowa State (14).
Juniors Kristin Arnold and Kelly Dyer and sophomores Bri Young and Beth West earned a spot on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, making Texas A&M the only team in the Big 12 with four players garnering honors.
Arnold and Young were also recently placed on the MAC's Hermann Trophy Watch List. Arnold was a member of the 2008 Preseason All-Big 12 Team before sustaining an injury and Dyer, West and Young were all honored with postseason awards from the Big 12, in addition to regional and national honors.
The Aggies, who return nine starters and welcome eight newcomers, kick off with an exhibition match Saturday at 7 pm. against UAB at the Aggie Soccer Stadium. Following their preseason contest, A&M opens its 2009 regular season at home against No. 8 USC on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Individual and season tickets to all 12 A&M home matches are still available for purchase online at www.12thmanfoundation.com/tickets or by calling 1-888-99-AGGIE.
The Big 12 Preseason Poll and the All-Big 12 Preseason Team are chosen by a vote of the league's head coaches who are not allowed to vote for their own team or players.