COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The reigning Big 12 Champion Texas A&M soccer team was picked to finish second in the Big 12, the conference's preseason poll showed today.
The Aggies, who were 8-1-1 in league play last season, received three first-place votes to finish second in the poll behind Oklahoma State. The Cowgirls took six top votes.
"OK State returns 10 of 11 starters from their team which had a great postseason run last year," head coach G Guerrieri said. "So, it's easy to see why they would be favored in the conference at this time."
A&M (59) trails OSU (62) by only three total points, while the next four schools are only 11 points apart. Missouri (44), Texas (43), Texas Tech (36) and Oklahoma (33) round out the top six. Baylor and Kansas are locked in a 16-point tie, while Iowa State (15) finishes the list.
In 2010, the No. 6 Aggies clenched at least a share of the Big 12 title with a 1-0 victory over the fifth-ranked Cowgirls in College Station. The Aggies went on to draw with Texas, giving the team sole possession of the conference trophy and its 11th Big 12 Championship.
"Even though the Aggies are the defending champs and beat OSU in our only meeting last season, we've had to replace a number of legendary A&M players," Guerrieri said. "It's easy to see why we wouldn't be the favorites again. Yet, we have brought to Aggieland one of the most talented classes of newcomers in recent years. We're quietly confident in what our team can accomplish as the 2011 season unfolds and these players get more experience playing with each other."
This season A&M is ranked No. 11 in the NSCAA Preseason Poll, and No. 14 OSU is also in the top 25. Texas is receiving votes. The Aggies and Cowgirls will face in Aggieland on Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. ESPNU is set to broadcast the game from Ellis Field.
A&M returns seven starters from the 2010 squad and welcomes a top-five recruiting class of ten freshmen. The Aggies will face Central Florida in an exhibition match tomorrow at 6 p.m. CST in Orlando. The game will be broadcast on AggieAthletics.com.
Each team in the Big 12 will kick off the 2011 season on Friday, August 19. The Aggies will host Fresno State at 6:30 p.m. at Ellis Field. For more information on Texas A&M soccer, log on to AggieAthletics.com.
"It should be another exciting year with many improved teams in the league," Guerrieri said. "I can't wait to get started."