COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M Aggies were selected second in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll released Tuesday morning.
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The coaches slotted the Aggies, the 2017 SEC Tournament champions, behind Florida. The top five was rounded out by Tennessee, 2017 regular-season titlist South Carolina and Auburn. The top 10 included Arkansas, Ole Miss, Alabama, Vanderbilt and Missouri. LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky and Georgia were marked as the cellar dwellers.
Texas A&M returns 16 letterwinners from the 2017 campaign, including nine players who started at least 50 percent of last season's 22 matches. The returnees account for 34 of the Aggies' 46 goals from last season. The Aggies welcome back All-SEC performers Ally Watt and Kendall Ritchie. Other key returnees include SEC All-Freshman Addie McCain, Texas A&M Defensive MVP Briana Alston and starting goalkeeper Cosette Morché. Two other former SEC All-Freshman return with Emily Bates and Grace Piper playing their senior and junior seasons, respectively.
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Watt was the Aggies' leading scorer last season, logging 24 points on 11 goals and two assists. Bates chipped in with 14 points on four goals and six assists. Morché played every minute in goal for the Aggies, posting a 0.75 goals-against average and eight shutouts.
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Texas A&M wrapped up the 2017 season with a program best winning percentage (.864) on 18-2-2 mark. The Aggies earned a bid to their 23rd consecutive NCAA Championship and advanced to the second round of the tournament for the 19th straight season.
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The Maroon & White open the 2018 campaign on August 17 as they travel to Honolulu for a match against the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine.
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Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.           Florida
2.           Texas A&M
3.           Tennessee
4.           South Carolina
5.           Auburn
6.           Arkansas
7.           Ole Miss
8.           Alabama
9.           Vanderbilt
10.         Missouri
11.         LSU
12.         Mississippi State
13.         Kentucky
14.         Georgia
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The coaches slotted the Aggies, the 2017 SEC Tournament champions, behind Florida. The top five was rounded out by Tennessee, 2017 regular-season titlist South Carolina and Auburn. The top 10 included Arkansas, Ole Miss, Alabama, Vanderbilt and Missouri. LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky and Georgia were marked as the cellar dwellers.
Texas A&M returns 16 letterwinners from the 2017 campaign, including nine players who started at least 50 percent of last season's 22 matches. The returnees account for 34 of the Aggies' 46 goals from last season. The Aggies welcome back All-SEC performers Ally Watt and Kendall Ritchie. Other key returnees include SEC All-Freshman Addie McCain, Texas A&M Defensive MVP Briana Alston and starting goalkeeper Cosette Morché. Two other former SEC All-Freshman return with Emily Bates and Grace Piper playing their senior and junior seasons, respectively.
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Watt was the Aggies' leading scorer last season, logging 24 points on 11 goals and two assists. Bates chipped in with 14 points on four goals and six assists. Morché played every minute in goal for the Aggies, posting a 0.75 goals-against average and eight shutouts.
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Texas A&M wrapped up the 2017 season with a program best winning percentage (.864) on 18-2-2 mark. The Aggies earned a bid to their 23rd consecutive NCAA Championship and advanced to the second round of the tournament for the 19th straight season.
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The Maroon & White open the 2018 campaign on August 17 as they travel to Honolulu for a match against the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine.
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Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.           Florida
2.           Texas A&M
3.           Tennessee
4.           South Carolina
5.           Auburn
6.           Arkansas
7.           Ole Miss
8.           Alabama
9.           Vanderbilt
10.         Missouri
11.         LSU
12.         Mississippi State
13.         Kentucky
14.         Georgia
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