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Aug. 13, 2008

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette women's soccer team was selected to finish third in the American Division in the 2008 BIG EAST preseason women's soccer poll announced Wednesday by conference officials. Senior defender Katie Kelly, a third team All-BIG EAST selection from a season ago, was selected to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team.

The votes were cast by the league's 16 head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own team or players.

Notre Dame and West Virginia were tabbed as the favorites as the Irish received all 15 first-place votes and were picked to win the National Division, while the Mountaineers received nine first-place votes and were picked to win the America Division. Both programs also won their respective divisions last year.

The Golden Eagles, who finished the 2007 season 12-4-4, picked up 90 points - the fifth highest overall point total behind Notre Dame, West Virginia, Connecticut and Louisville. Marquette finished third last season in the American Division with a 5-3-3 conference mark.

Kelly returns to Marquette for her final season to help lead Marquette's defensive contingent. She was a key component of MU's stifling backline that recorded a program record 12 shutouts and didn't allow a goal through nine of the Golden Eagles' first 10 games of the 2007 season. She has also been Marquette's secret weapon on offense each of the last three seasons, as she stands third on MU's all-time assists list with 22. Last season she ranked third in the league with nine assists, a mark that is the third best single-season total in program history.

Along with Kelly, the Golden Eagles welcome back 18 letterwinners and six starters for the 2008 campaign. MU will have 60.5 percent of its scoring back from 2007 led by sophomore Ashley Bares who was second on the team with 16 points. Marquette will also have an experienced backline anchored by Kelly and fellow senior Shannon Cusick, and junior Katie Miller. Joining the team this year are eight newcomers.

The team opened up training camp on Monday, Aug. 11, and will host Wisconsin for an exhibition match on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 5 p.m., at Valley Fields as apart of the Marquette soccer program's second annual FanFest. The Golden Eagles open the 2008 season at home against 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Loyola (Ill.) at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 24.

2008 BIG EAST Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll

American Division
1. West Virginia (9)
2. Connecticut (7)
3. Marquette
4. St. John's
5. USF
6. Providence
6. Syracuse
8. Pittsburgh

National Division
1. Notre Dame (15)
2. Louisville (1)
3. Georgetown
4. Rutgers
5. Villanova
6. Seton Hall
7. Cincinnati
8. DePaul

2008 BIG EAST Preseason Awards

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Brittany Bock, Sr., M/F, Notre Dame

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Kelly Eagan, Jr., D, Villanova

Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Stephanie Labbe, Sr., Connecticut

2008 All BIG EAST Preseason Team Greer Barnes, Sr., M, West Virginia
Carolyn Blank, Jr., M, West Virginia
*Brittany Bock, Sr., M/F, Notre Dame
Amanda Cicchini, Sr., M, West Virginia
Gina DeMaio, Jr., M, Rutgers
Kelly Eagan, Jr., D, Villanova
Elizabeth Eng, Sr., F, Connecticut
Deana Everrett, Sr., F, West Virginia
Sara Jordan, Sr., M, Georgetown
*Kerri Hanks, Sr., F, Notre Dame
Katie Kelly, Sr., D, Marquette
Stephanie Labbe, Sr., GK, Connecticut
Shannon Smyth, Sr., F, Louisville

* - unanimous selection
^ - Due to a tie in voting, two extra members have been added to the BIG EAST Preseason All-Conference Team