Defending National Champions Chosen Preseason SSC Favorites

ORLANDO, Fla. - Defending national champion Tampa was selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2008 Sunshine State Conference women's soccer championship, it was announced Wednesday by Commissioner Michael J. Marcil.

Voting for the preseason poll was conducted among the league's women's soccer coaches and sports information directors.

The Spartans were heavily favored to win their fourth straight conference regular-season title, collecting 20 points and 13 first-place votes. Nova Southeastern, which finished third in the SSC a year ago, tallied 40 points and four first-place votes. The Sharks just edged out 2007 runner-up Saint Leo, which received 41 points and one first-place nod.

Rollins placed fourth in the poll, garnering 56 points. Florida Southern appeared at No. 5, tallying 65 points, while Florida Tech was tabbed sixth with 96 points.
Lynn ( 100), Barry (103), and Eckerd (127) rounded out the preseason poll.

Tampa returns six starters from the squad that claimed the program's first NCAA Division II title in 2007, concluding the season with a 20-2-3 record and a 6-1-1 conference slate. Included among the returnees is first team All-SSC performers Shelby Kuni and Courtney Evans, both seniors. Kuni has earned first-team all-conference recognition all three of her years at UT and ranks among the SSC's career leaders with 53 goals and 23 assists heading into the season. Also returning for second-year head coach Gerry Lucey is second team all-conference selection Maria Mohammed, a senior defender.

Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Spartans will come in goal, as last year's national player of the year, Shannon Aitken, graduated with a slew of school career records, including 59 wins and 40 shutouts.

2008 SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE PRESEASON WOMEN'S SOCCER POLL
Place - Team, Points (1st Place Votes)
1. Tampa, 20 (13)
2. Nova Southeastern, 40 (4)
3. Saint Leo, 41 (1)
4. Rollins, 56
5. Florida Southern, 65
6. Florida Tech, 96
7. Lynn, 100
8. Barry, 103
9. Eckerd, 127