COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Entering their sixth season in the Southeastern Conference, the Texas A&M Aggies were selected second in the 2017 SEC Preseason Soccer Coaches' Poll, the league announced Tuesday.
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The Aggies were edged out by the Florida Gators in voting by the league's 14 head coaches. Texas A&M and Florida were followed by defending league champion South Carolina in third along with Missouri and Arkansas. Auburn was tabbed sixth with Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Alabama rounding out the top 10. LSU, Kentucky, Georgia and Mississippi State were slated for the cellar.
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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.
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Texas A&M looks to return to the top of the league table after a two year absence. The Aggies won regular-season crowns in 2013 and 2014. The earned the SEC Double both of those seasons, taking the tournament titles as well.
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Texas A&M returns 13 letterwinners from the 2016 campaign, including eight of 11 starters. The returnees account for 24 of the Aggies' 27 goals from last season and the Maroon and White add the potent Ally Watt who redshirted last season while playing for the United States U20 Women's National Team. Texas A&M welcomes back All-American Mikaela Harvey, along with fellow All-SEC performer Haley Pounds and former SEC All-Freshman honorees Emily Bates, Grace Piper and Watt.
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The Aggies finished the 2016 season with a 12-8-2 record. The Maroon and White appeared in their 22nd consecutive NCAA Division I Championship and advanced to the Second Round for the 19th consecutive year.
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The Silver Season of Texas A&M Soccer commences Friday when the Aggies battle the Pepperdine Waves in a 6:30 pm contest at the University of San Diego's Torero Stadium.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Florida
2. Texas A&M
3. South Carolina
4. Missouri
5. Arkansas
6. Auburn
7. Tennessee
8. Vanderbilt
9. Ole Miss
10. Alabama
11. LSU
12. KentuckyÂ
13. Georgia
14. Mississippi State
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