Colonel Soccer Team Picked to Finish Fifth in the OVC

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team was picked by league coaches and sports information directors to finish fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference this season. The Colonels placed sixth last season and earned a berth in the conference tournament for the second consecutive year.

In what is predicted to be a close finish at the top, Murray State has been deemed the conference favorite heading into the 2010 season. The Racers, who captured their first league tournament crown last year, received seven of the 18 first-place votes and 117 points. Morehead State picked up nine-first place nods and 116 points while UT Martin took the last two first-place votes and 86 points. Tennessee Tech is selected to finish fourth with 77 points followed by EKU (74), Eastern Illinois (70), Southeast Missouri (60), Jacksonville State (32) and Austin Peay (16).

The Colonels, who went 5-11-3 last year before losing to eventual conference champion Murray State in the first round of the OVC tournament, will try to integrate a program-record 13 new faces onto this year’s team.

Easing the transition will be the return of several key members from last year’s squad, including two-time second team All-OVC goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch. The senior from Goshen, Ky. is the all-time career saves leader at EKU and will be looked upon to anchor a retooled Colonel defense in 2010.

2007 second team All-OVC selection Carly Muller (two goals and two assists in 2009) will also be looked upon to provide leadership this year, as will 2008 first team All-OVC performer Heather Bruce (team-high three assists in 2009).

Senior Alex Raich has scored the most career goals (six) of any current Colonel and will be expected to pick up even more of the scoring slack in 2010.

EKU’s first exhibition match is at IPFW on Wednesday, August 11, at 7:00 p.m.

The Colonels will open the regular season at Louisville on August 20 at 7:00 p.m. Their home opener will be two days later when they host Xavier at 1:00 p.m.

2010 OVC WOMEN’S SOCCER PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
(As selected by the OVC Women’s Head Soccer Coaches and Sports Information Directors)

1. Murray State (Seven first-place votes) - 117
2. Morehead State (Nine first-place votes) - 116
3. UT Martin (Two first-place votes) - 86
4. Tennessee Tech - 77
5. Eastern Kentucky - 74
6. Eastern Illinois - 70
7. Southeast Missouri - 60
8. Jacksonville State - 32
9. Austin Peay - 16