ELMHURST, Ill. -- For the second time in as many years the
Oakland women's soccer team was chosen to win The Summit League by the conference head coaches. Centenary was picked to finish eighth in 2007, after completing last season with a 4-11-1 record.
The Ladies earned 17 points in the preseason poll, while Oakland earned 63 points and seven of nine first place votes. The coaches chose Western Illinois second, North Dakota State third, with one first place vote, and Southern Utah fourth.
Rounding out the rest of the preseason standings is IUPUI in fifth, Oral Roberts sixth, South Dakota State seventh, with one first place vote, while Centenary and IPFW complete the poll.
"I believe if we stay healthy we will make the conference tournament, said head coach Chase Wooten. "We have the pieces to go back to the conference tournament and to get back to where we need to be."
The Ladies lose four from last season's squad, but welcome back their three top scorers, sophomore Stefani Robbs (Farmers Branch, Texas), senior Bre Fletcher (Schertz, Texas) and junior Lauren Stanley (Mesquite, Texas). Robbs led the team with five goals and was named to the Mid-Con's All-Newcomer Team, while Fletcher and Stanley each chipped in with a pair of goals.
Also coming back to help anchor the defense is senior goalkeeper Ali Hilsher (Tulsa, Okla.), who had 91 saves in 2006, but came away with a school record 137 in 2005.
Centenary will begin its 2007 season on Friday when it plays host to Stephen F. Austin in an exhibition match at 7 p.m.
