Women’s soccer
49ers ranked second in coaches’ poll
Long Beach State was edged by UC Santa Barbara for the top spot in the Big West Conference preseason coaches Tuesday. The two-time defending regular season conference champions earned three first-place votes and 73 points from the nine coaches in the Big West, just one point behind the Gauchos. The 49ers were 13-7 last season and will return 10 starters this season, including All-Region selections Hayley Bolt and Kim Silos, who’s seven goals shy of the school-record 33.
Scrimmage scheduled Saturday
Head coach Mauricio Ingrassia’s team will host San Diego State at George Allen Field at 5 p.m. The regular season opener is against visiting Gonzaga on Friday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m.
Women’s tennis
Team, five players honored for academics
LBSU was recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Monday with All-Academic awards for 2007-08. For the fifth time in six seasons, the 49ers were one of three Big West teams recognized with the national academic team honor as they combined for a 3.7 GPA. Deborah Armstrong, Stephanie Bengson, Hannah Grady, Lisa Hagele and Jessica Weeks were named ITA Scholar-Athletes.