COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Entering their third season in the Southeastern Conference, the Texas A&M Aggies were selected second in the 2014 SEC Preseason Soccer Coaches' Poll, the league announced on Monday.
The Aggies were edged out by the Florida Gators in voting by the league's 14 head coaches. Texas A&M received 162 points (six first-place votes) and trailed only the Gators, who accumulated 164 points, including eight first-place votes.
Points were compiled on a 13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis though each coach was not allowed to vote for their own squad.
Last season, Texas A&M and Florida shared the regular-season title by posting identical 9-2-0 league records. The Gators won the regular-season meeting between the two squads, but A&M captured their first-ever SEC Tournament title by toppling Florida 2-1 in the championship match.
The Aggies return 10 starters from 2013, of which five were All-SEC selections, including first-teamers Shea Groom and Meghan Streight and second-teamers Jordan Day, Leigh Edwards and Kelley Monogue. Florida returns all 11 of their starters from the 2013 campaign.
The 22nd season of SEC women's soccer commences on August 22. Texas A&M hosts the Dayton Flyers in the season debut at Ellis Field.
2014 SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
   Team            Points
 1. Florida (8)       164
 2. Texas A&M (6)    162
 3. South Carolina    136
 4. Kentucky         129
 5. Tennessee        125
 6. LSU               99
 7. Georgia           84
 8. Arkansas          77
 9. Ole Miss          71
   Missouri          71
11. Auburn            66
12. Alabama           51
13. Vanderbilt        25
14. Mississippi State 14