UCA women picked 7th

FRISCO, Texas The University of Central Arkansas women's soccer team is picked seventh in preseason by both the Southland Conference's coaches and sports information directors.

Last year, the Bears were 8-7-2 overall and 4-4 in the Southland (fifth place).

According to the coaches, Stephen F. Austin is the favorite with four first-place votes. Southeastern Louisiana, last year's regular -season champion, was second followed by Texas-San Antonio, Northwestern State, tournament champion McNeese State, Texas State, UCA, Sam Houston State, new program Lamar and Nicholls State. The sports information directors had a different opinion, choosing Southeastern to repeat. UTSA was picked second followed by, SFA, McNeese, Northwestern, Texas State, UCA, Sam Houston, Nicholls and Lamar.

UCA junior defender Amanda Bishop, a second team All-SLC player in 2006, was named to the preseason first team. The Tulsa, Okla., native scored two goals and ranked fourth in the Southland with six assists last season. Junior goalkeeper Heather Joye was named to the preseason All-Southland Conference second team. Joye, from Salt Lake City, Utah, was an honorable mention selection last year, ranking third in the league with a 1.57 goals against average, second with five shutouts and fourth with 77 saves.

The Bears will be at home for a preseason game against Lyon on Aug. 21. They open the regular season Aug. 31 at Vermont.

2007 SLC Preseason

women's soccer poll

Coaches (First Place Votes) Total

1. Stephen F. Austin (4) 73

2. Southeastern Louisiana (2) 61

3. Texas-San Antonio (1) 60

4. Northwestern State (2) 59

5. McNeese State (1) 53

6. Texas State 50

7. UCA 39

8. Sam Houston State 24

9. Lamar 19

10. Nicholls State 10

Sports Information Directors

1. Southeastern Louisiana (4) 73

2. Texas-San Antonio (1) 70

3. Stephen F. Austin (3) 66

4. McNeese State (1) 60

5. Northwestern State (1) 54

6. Texas State 50

7. UCA 38

8. Sam Houston State 18

9. Nicholls State 14

10. Lamar 10