COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M soccer team will start the 2011 season with a No. 11 national ranking by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) top 25 poll, released Tuesday.
This marks the 16th consecutive season for the Aggie soccer program to receive a top-15 preseason ranking. The strong start comes as Texas A&M returns seven starters and welcomes 11 newcomers to the squad, including a top-five recruiting class of 10 freshmen.
"Preseason polls are not an exact science," head coach G Guerrieri said. "But it's nice to know that our program has earned such high national respect year-in and year-out, and continues to be held in such high regard by the NSCAA voters again this season."
The Aggies will face six opponents this season who received votes, the first being No. 17 UC Irvine at home on Aug. 21, followed by No. 9 Florida on Aug. 26 in Knoxville, Tenn. A&M will challenge No. 3 North Carolina on Sept. 11 in Durham, N.C., and will host conference foe No. 14 Oklahoma State at Ellis Field on Oct. 21. The Aggies and Cowgirls were the only Big 12 schools to make the top 25 list, and will play on ESPNU. Duke (Sept. 9) and Texas (Oct. 28) are receiving votes.
Of the Aggies' 20 opponents in 2011, nine finished the 2010 season in the NCAA Tournament. Central Florida (Aug. 13 - Exhibition), Fresno State (Aug. 19), UC Irvine (Aug. 21), Oklahoma (Oct. 21), Florida (Aug. 26), Duke (Sept. 9), Oklahoma State (Oct. 23), Texas (Oct. 28) and North Carolina (Sept. 11) received NCAA berths last season. A&M finished 2010 in the NCAA second round and ended the season with a No. 16 national ranking.
Season tickets are now on sale through the 12th Man Foundation Ticket office. To reserve your seat at Ellis field call 979-845-2311 or 1-888-99-AGGIE (toll-free), go online to www.12thManFoundation.com or purchase them in person at the Zone at Kyle Field box office. All seats have been upgraded in the recent Ellis Field renovation, but will remain at the 2010 price. Season ticket holders will also receive an Aggie soccer scarf.
Catch a sneak preview of the Aggies on Aug. 15 as they play an exhibition match on Ellis Field at 6:30 p.m. The team will also kick off the 2011 season at home as it hosts Fresno State, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. To learn more about Texas A&M soccer, log on to AggieAthletics.com.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M soccer team will start the 2011 season with a No. 11 national ranking by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) top 25 poll, released Tuesday.This marks the 16th consecutive season for the Aggie soccer program to receive a top-15 preseason ranking. The strong start comes as Texas A&M returns seven starters and welcomes 11 newcomers to the squad, including a top-five recruiting class of 10 freshmen.
"Preseason polls are not an exact science," head coach G Guerrieri said. "But it's nice to know that our program has earned such high national respect year-in and year-out, and continues to be held in such high regard by the NSCAA voters again this season."
The Aggies will face six opponents this season who received votes, the first being No. 17 UC Irvine at home on Aug. 21, followed by No. 9 Florida on Aug. 26 in Knoxville, Tenn. A&M will challenge No. 3 North Carolina on Sept. 11 in Durham, N.C., and will host conference foe No. 14 Oklahoma State at Ellis Field on Oct. 21. The Aggies and Cowgirls were the only Big 12 schools to make the top 25 list, and will play on ESPNU. Duke (Sept. 9) and Texas (Oct. 28) are receiving votes.
Of the Aggies' 20 opponents in 2011, nine finished the 2010 season in the NCAA Tournament. Central Florida (Aug. 13 - Exhibition), Fresno State (Aug. 19), UC Irvine (Aug. 21), Oklahoma (Oct. 21), Florida (Aug. 26), Duke (Sept. 9), Oklahoma State (Oct. 23), Texas (Oct. 28) and North Carolina (Sept. 11) received NCAA berths last season. A&M finished 2010 in the NCAA second round and ended the season with a No. 16 national ranking.
Season tickets are now on sale through the 12th Man Foundation Ticket office. To reserve your seat at Ellis field call 979-845-2311 or 1-888-99-AGGIE (toll-free), go online to www.12thManFoundation.com or purchase them in person at the Zone at Kyle Field box office. All seats have been upgraded in the recent Ellis Field renovation, but will remain at the 2010 price. Season ticket holders will also receive an Aggie soccer scarf.
Catch a sneak preview of the Aggies on Aug. 15 as they play an exhibition match on Ellis Field at 6:30 p.m. The team will also kick off the 2011 season at home as it hosts Fresno State, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. To learn more about Texas A&M soccer, log on to AggieAthletics.com.