The UTEP women's soccer team is picked to finish fourth in the Western Athletic Conference this season, based on a vote by the league's head coaches.

SMU earned eight first-place votes and is picked to finish first, while Hawaii is picked second with one first-place vote and Rice third.

"I think it's a good place to be picked fourth at this point," third-year head coach Kevin Cross said. "I think it lets people know we are going to be a tough team to face and we won't back down from anyone."

The Miners return 10 starters from their 2003 squad which went 11-8 overall and 4-4 in the WAC for a fourth place finish.

Among the returnees are sophomore midfielder Christine McCartney, junior forward Kaletia Roberts and senior defender Amber Mack.

McCartney and Roberts were both named to the All-WAC second team last season after combining for 13 of the team's 46 goals, while Mack an El Paso native was part of a Miner defense that ranked fourth in the league with a 1.14 goals-against-average.

UTEP will open its 2004 season with an exhibition match against Cochise College on Wednesday, Aug. 18. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at University Field.