Florida State Soccer Picked To Finish Second In The ACC

The Seminoles garner 104 points including one first place vote in 2007.

8/7/2007

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference and Commissioner John D. Swofford announced on Tuesday, August 7 the preseason poll for the 2007 women’s soccer season, as determined by a vote of the league’s 11 head coaches. For the second consecutive year, Florida State was the coaches’ pick to finish second as the Seminoles garnered one first-place vote for 104 points.



“It’s nice to see that our program has gained the respect from the other coaches in the ACC to be picked to finish in second place,” stated head coach Mark Krikorian.



North Carolina was picked to win the league for the 16th straight year as the defending national champions received 10, first-place votes and 120 total points.



The Seminoles have now been picked to finish in the top four of the ACC in five of the last six seasons. It marks the third time in the program’s 13-year history that FSU has been slated to finish in second place. The 104 points accumulated by the Seminoles in 2007 ties a school-record set a season ago.



“For our program to be picked among the top teams in one of the best conferences in the nation is a huge honor,” explained Krikorian. “We know we can’t get sidetracked with what this program has accomplished in the past. This a new year and a new team with new personnel, new objectives and new excitement. We can’t wait to get this season started.”



Florida State returns six of 11 starters and 14 of 24 letterwinners from last year’s College Cup squad including their entire backline in Katrin Schmidt, Libby Gianeskis, Sarah Wagenfuhr and Becky Edwards. As a unit, the four played a major role in guiding FSU to its finest defensive season in school history setting single-season records for shutouts (14), GAA (0.67) and the fewest goals allowed with 18.



The Garnet and Gold will look to replace three of their top four scorers from a season ago. The 10 letterwinners lost after last season comprised of 56.3% (72 of the 128 total points) of the total scoring in 2006. Junior midfielder Mami Yamaguchi is the top returning scorer on the team as she ranked third in scoring last year with 16 points (6 goals, 4 assists).



Heading into the 2007 season, Florida State achieved yet another program first as this year’s recruiting class, which feature 15 newcomers including four transfers, earned its highest ranking in school history. The Seminoles were recognized by Soccer Buzz with the nation’s second best recruiting class in 2007, while grabbing the top spot in the Southeast Region. Both rankings are the highest garnered in program history.



Florida State will begin the 2007 season on the road as they travel to face Portland on Saturday, September 1.



Completing the preseason poll in order of projected finish are Virginia (89), Boston College (86), Duke (74), Wake Forest (73), Clemson (60), Virginia Tech (36), Maryland (35), NC State (26), Miami (23).



2007 ACC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll

Place, Team (First Place Votes), Points, 2006 Record

1. North Carolina (10), 120, 27-1-0 (10-0-0)

2. Florida State (1), 104, 18-4-4 (5-2-3)

3. Virginia, 89, 12-8-2 (5-4-1)

4. Boston College, 86, 12-7-3 (5-3-2)

5. Duke, 74, 9-8-4 (5-4-1)

6. Wake Forest, 73, 16-6-1 (6-4-0)

7. Clemson, 60, 11-8-5 (5-3-2)

8. Virginia Tech, 36, 6-8-4 (1-6-3)

9. Maryland, 35, 5-9-4 (1-6-3)

10. NC State, 26, 9-9-2 (3-7-0)

11. Miami, 23, 8-9-1 (1-8-1)