Aug. 23, 2006

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' women's soccer team is the unanimous pick to claim its fourth straight American Southwest Conference title according to the poll released today that was voted on by the league's coaches and sports information directors.

The Cowgirls have run undefeated in conference play for 71 straight games and have won the last three ASC titles. Last season the Cowgirls finished 20-2 and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

HSU returns nine regular starters and 10 players that started more than five games last season. Included in that group is a senior class of six that has never lost to a conference opponent.

The Cowgirls are ranked 18th in the D3kicks.com poll and 22nd by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.

UT-Dallas received all but one second place vote and was second in the poll. The Cowgirls and Comets have met in three of the last four ASC Championship games.

East Texas Baptist was ranked third, followed by UT-Tyler, Mississippi College, Texas Lutheran and Mary Hardin-Baylor. LeTourneau, Ozarks, McMurry, Schreiner, Concordia-Austin, Howard Payne and Louisiana College round out the poll.

Jana Wilson of East Texas Baptist and Kelli Jackson of UT-Dallas were named the preseason offensive and defensive players of the year.