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HomeSportsAustin Peay Lady Govs Soccer picked ninth in OVC Preseason Poll

Austin Peay Lady Govs Soccer picked ninth in OVC Preseason Poll

APSU Sports: Austin Peay Soccer

Austin Peay State University Lady GovsNashville, TN – After a wave of injuries caused them to stumble down the stretch and miss the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament last season, Austin Peay State University women’s soccer team has been picked eighth in the OVC’s 2012 preseason soccer poll, the conference office announced Wednesday.

Austin Peay Soccer. (Courtesy: Keith Dorris/Dorris Photography)
Austin Peay Soccer. (Courtesy: Keith Dorris/Dorris Photography)

“To be honest, I don’t put much merit to the preseason poll,” said head coach Kelley Guth. “Every year it seems like we’re not projected in the top of the conference. I think we have a good team and this will be a great motivational tool.”

Defending conference champion UT Martin (190 points; 13 first-place votes) was picked to repeat, barely edging out Southeast Missouri (190; 9). Morehead State, the 2009 and 2010 conference champion, was picked third (143), while Eastern Kentucky is slated fourth (130).

Conference newcomer Belmont and Murray State tied for fifth with 122 points apiece. SIU Edwardsville ranked just ahead of the Lady Govs in seventh with 98 points, while Eastern Illinois (65 points), Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech (33 points apiece) rounded out the poll.

Despite returning all 11 starters, including two Olympians and multiple veterans, the Lady Govs dropped five spots from last preseason’s ranking of third. All-OVC picks Natalia and Tatiana Ariza and Emily Perkins return, while seniors Jazzmine Chandler and Sara Kluttz are eager to get back on the field after missing most of the past two seasons due to injury.

The low ranking may serve as motivation for the Lady Govs. In 2010, Austin Peay was picked to finish ninth in the preseason poll but advanced all the way to the OVC Championship game before falling to Morehead State.

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