WOMEN’S SOCCER SELECTED THIRD IN THE BIG SKY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

8/12/2009

OGDEN, Utah - The Sacramento State women’s soccer team was tabbed to finish third in the Big Sky Conference, in a poll of the league’s coaches that was released today.

The projected finish marks the fourth straight year that the Hornets have been picked to finish in the conference’s top three. Most recently, the Hornets were selected first in 2007 and 2008, and third in 2006

Third year head coach Randy Dedini returns eight starters from a season ago, including four all-Big Sky performers. Leading the charge is senior forward Kim Kemper, a two-time first team all-conference selection who led the team in goals (six) and points (14) a season ago. Kemper ranks fifth in school history in career goals with 14, while also ranking fifth in career points with 38. She is also co-holder of the school’s single-season assist record, tallying seven in 2007. Kemper was also an ESPN The Magazine second team District VIII academic all-region honoree.

Senior defender Christina Trenton, senior forward Ashley Forbes, and junior midfielder Cori Shreve also earned all-Big Sky honors, while leading the team to a 9-8-2 overall record. Another standout performer from 2008 returning to the club is sophomore goalkeeper Savannah Abercrombie, who was thrust into action due to injuries and proceeded to post the lowest goals against average in program history (0.68 goals per game). She will compete with junior Mandy Trojan, who missed 2008 due to injury but boasts a 1.00 career goals against average, for the starting goalkeeper spot.

Weber State was selected by the coaches as the team to beat in 2009, garnering six first place votes after winning the Big Sky regular season title a season ago. Northern Arizona, who beat Weber State on their home pitch in last season’s Big Sky Tournament to earn the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, ranked second in the voting, earning two first place votes. The Hornets were selected third, but were just two points behind the Lumberjacks in the voting. Montana was picked to finish fourth, with Portland State, Northern Colorado, Idaho State and Eastern Washington rounding out the poll.

The Hornets open up their 2009 schedule with an exhibition tilt against Cal State Stanislaus on Sunday, Aug. 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Hornet Soccer Field.


2009 Big Sky Preseason Poll
(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)
1. Weber State (6) 48
2. Northern Arizona (2) 40
3. Sacramento State 38
4. Montana 28
5. Portland State 27
6. Northern Colorado 20
7. Idaho State 15
8. Eastern Washington 8