Texas State Soccer Picked To Finish Seventh In SBC

Prior to beginning the program’s 19 season on August 18 at home against Northern Arizona, Texas State travels to take on UTSA at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 for an exhibition match.

NEW ORLEANS – Wednesday saw the Sun Belt Conference announced the preseason women’s soccer poll, all-conference team and specialty award honorees. The Bobcats were picked to finish seventh in the 11-team league.

The Bobcats are coming off a 6-9-3 season that saw them just miss out on qualifying for the SBC Tournament. In the poll by the leagues’ coaches, TXST received 52 points.

South Alabama edged out Coastal Carolina to be selected as the favorite to win the league with 109 points and three first-place votes. The Chanticleers totaled 108 points and a poll-high four first-place selections. Just behind both programs was Little Rock that received three first-place votes and 106 points.

Appalachian State received 84 points and was picked to finish fourth. Both Louisiana and Troy finished with 60 points apiece while the Ragin’ Cajuns picked up a first-place vote.

Following the Bobcats in the poll were ULM (44 pts), Georgia State (39 pts), Arkansas State (36 pts) and Georgia Southern (28 pts).

Prior to beginning the program’s 19 season on August 18 at home against Northern Arizona, Texas State travels to take on UTSA at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 for an exhibition match.

Admission to all home soccer games are free of charge. For more information on the Texas State soccer team, visit the official website of Texas State Athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com, like on Facebook at Texas State Soccer and follow on Instagram and Twitter at @TxStateSoccer.

Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team

• * Arola Aparicio (Little Rock, Junior, Forward)
• * Daniella Famili (Coastal Carolina, Senior, Forward)
• Chardé Hannah (South Alabama, Senior, Forward)
• * Rio Hardy (South Alabama, Senior, Forward)
• ** Quin Wilkes (Little Rock, Senior, Midfielder)
• * Sarah Price (Georgia Southern, Senior, Midfielder)
• ** Danielle Henley (South Alabama, Senior, Midfielder)
• ** Hannah Godfrey (South Alabama, Junior, Defender)
• Steffi Hardy (South Alabama, Senior, Defender)
• ** Haley Roberson (Troy, Senior, Defender)
• ** Kelsey Ponder (Arkansas State, Junior, Goalkeeper)

 * –  denotes 2016 First-Team All-Conference | ** denotes 2016 Second-Team All-Conference

2017 Sun Belt Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year

Daniella Famili (Coastal Carolina, Senior, Forward)

2017 Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Hannah Godfrey (South Alabama, Junior, Defender)

2017 Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)

1. South Alabama (3) – 109 pts
2. Coastal Carolina (4) – 108 pts
3. Little Rock (3) – 106 pts
4. Appalachian State – 84 pts
5. Louisiana (1) – 60 pts
6. Troy – 60 pts
7. Texas State – 52 pts
8. ULM – 44 pts
9. Georgia State – 39 pts
10. Arkansas State – 36 pts
11. Georgia Southern – 28 pts