SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Southern Conference women’s soccer coaches have selected UNC Greensboro to win the 2006 regular season championship.  The coaches also selected 12 players to the preseason all-league team, including six returning all-conference picks from 2005.

The Spartans picked up four first-place votes and edged Furman and Western Carolina by seven points as the favorite. Western Carolina and Furman tied for second with the Catamounts receiving three first-place votes and Furman receiving one. College of Charleston was a close fourth, including one first-place vote, slipping by Davidson who finished one point behind the Cougars in fifth.

The women’s soccer coaches also announced the preseason all-conference team. College of Charleston and UNC Greensboro each had three selections to the team. Cougar defender Amanda Andrews, a 2005 all-conference first team, is joined on the preseason squad by fellow defender Danielle Jordan, a second-team all-league pick in 2005, and starting forward Teryn Schuetz. UNCG’s Shannon Donovan leads the Spartans, returning as a first-team all-conference pick from 2005, with forward Deven Beachum also returning from an all-conference performance last season. Midfielder Jessica Patterson was also selected from the Spartan squad.

Appalachian State placed two players on the preseason squad in returning second-team all-conference forward Casey Cleary  and midfielder Dana Murphy. Western Carolina goalkeeper Alisha Row was named to the team, returning as a second-team all-league honoree from 2005. Chattanooga midfielder Maya Peel, Davidson forward Kristen Koehrn and Furman defender Kate Johnson round out the preseason team.

Southern Conference women’s soccer begins on Friday, August 25 with all 11 teams in action. The first conference game is scheduled for Sunday, September 10 when Chattanooga travels to Appalachian State for a 2:00 p.m. match.

2006 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll