Aug. 16, 2007
IRVING, Texas (www.ucfathletics.com) - With the first week of practice about to conclude, the UCF women's soccer team learned Thursday it has been picked to finish second in the Conference USA Preseason Coaches Poll. Meanwhile, junior Hanna Wilde (Westlake, Ohio) and sophomore Nikki Moore (Virginia Beach, Va.) both nabbed spots on the Preseason All-C-USA Team.
Last year's regular season champion, SMU, earned top honors, marking the third-straight year that SMU and UCF went first and second, respectively, in the preseason voting. The Knights were able to upset the No. 15 Mustangs in 2006 in double overtime, and the two programs are set to get together in Dallas this season Oct. 14. That match will be televised on a tape-delay basis on CSTV.
UCF finished 2006 in second place with a 7-1-1 C-USA mark (11-6-2 overall), as the Knights have a 15-2-1 combined record since joining the league for the 2005 campaign.
Wilde enters her third year with the Black and Gold and was an All-C-USA First Team honoree as a sophomore. The midfielder, who also sees time at forward, has played in all 41 matches during her two-year career. In 2006, she tallied 10 points off four goals, including three game-winners, and two assists.
Moore proved to be one of UCF's all-around consistent players last season, starting in 18 of 19 matches at defense and picking up an assist. Her efforts helped her achieve All-C-USA Second Team accolades and a spot on the C-USA All-Freshman Team. She also earned All-Southeast Region Freshman Team and Third Team honors from SoccerBuzz.com.
The Knights begin their 2007 journey with a pair of home exhibition matches vs. Northern Illinois (Aug. 23) and USF (Aug. 25). After opening the regular season at the Tennessee Lady Vol Classic Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, the home opener takes place with the UCF Invitational Sept. 7 and Sept. 9.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports.
C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Emily Beans - So. - F/M - Colorado College
C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Molly Uyenishi - Jr. - D - Colorado College
Preseason All-C-USA Team
Kimber Bailey - Sr. - D/M - SMU
Emily Beans - So. - F/M - Colorado College
Ashley Gunter - Jr. - GK - SMU
Maiko Higashiyama - Jr. - D - Memphis
Anoop Josan - So. - F - UTEP
Beth Martin - Sr. - D - Rice
Nikki Moore - So. - D - UCF
Kat Norris - Sr. - D - East Carolina
Sally Palmer - Sr. - F - UAB
Carley Phillips - So. - D - SMU
Molly Uyenishi - Jr. - D - Colorado College
Hanna Wilde - Jr. - M - UCF
Predicted Order of Finish (Top Five)
1) SMU
2) UCF
3) Colorado College
4) UTEP
5) Memphis