The Long Beach State women’s soccer team was picked to finish in second place in the Big West Conference this season when the conference coaches’ poll was released Wednesday.
The 49ers received 70 points in the nine-team poll after coming off their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three years and first-ever Big West Tournament title.
Despite losing to LBSU in the conference championship, UC Irvine was projected to capture the Big West regular season championship with seven first-place votes and 78 total points.
The Anteaters after coming off a 2010 campaign that saw them go undefeated in regular season conference play and advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
The Beach, which finished with a 14-6-2 record last year, was followed by Cal State Northridge (52 points) and Pacific (51 points), which claimed one first-place vote. UC Santa Barbara took fifth with 48 points, while Cal Poly also received a first-place vote to finish sixth with 44 points.
The ‘Niners return 16 letterwinners led by junior forward Nadia Link, who ranked third among all scorers last season in the Big West with eight goals, and senior midfielder Shawna Gordon, who led the team in assists with seven.
LBSU will begin the regular season on Friday, Aug. 19, when it visits Pac-12 opponent USC for a 3 p.m. match. The 49ers then return to George Allen Field for their home opener against Sacramento State on Sunday, Aug. 21 (1 p.m.).
2011 Big West Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. UC Irvine (7) 78
2. Long Beach State 70
3. Cal State Northridge 52
4. Pacific (1) 51
5. UC Santa Barbara 48
6. Cal Poly (1) 44
7. Cal State Fullerton 34
8. UC Davis 8
9. UC Riverside 10
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