Defending OVC tourney champs selected for third place in poll

Southeast Missouri State, which won the Ohio Valley Conference women's soccer tournament last year and represented the league in the NCAA tournament, was tabbed for third place in the poll of OVC coaches and sports information directors.

The poll was released Wednesday by the OVC.

Samford, which was 6-0-3 in league play during an 11-4-3 season last year, was picked atop the league. The Bulldogs grabbed 12 of 20 first-place votes and had 155 total points.

Southeast had four first-place votes, but finished one point behind Morehead State, which received two first-place votes. Southeast had 133 points.

Eastern Illinois also received two first-place votes and was fourth with 129 points.

Southeast was 4-3-2 in conference play last year and won its first OVC tournament. The Redhawks finished 10-8-2 after losing 2-0 to Illinois in the NCAA tournament.

The Redhawks return second-team all-OVC goalkeeper Lindsay Pickering, who had an 0.95 goals against average; and all-OVC newcomer selection Courtney Alexander, who ked the league with nine goals. Alaina Lacopo (five goals, five assists), Casey Kraft (five goals, one assist) and Margie Schaeffler (four goals, six assists) also return for the Redhawks.

Southeast's first game is at home 7 p.m. Aug. 31 against Northwestern State.

OVC predictedorder of finish

Team (First-place votes) Pts

Samford (12) 155

Morehead State (2) 134

Southeast (4) 133

Eastern Illinois (2) 129

Austin Peay 71

Tennessee-Martin 70

Jacksonville State 68

Murray State 68

Eastern Kentucky 50

Tennessee Tech 22