DENVER— The University of Hawai'i women's soccer team has been selected to finish sixth in the 2010 Western Athletic Conference Preseason Poll as determined by a vote of the league's nine head coaches. Utah State has been selected as the favorite to win the WAC title.

 

The 2010 WAC preseason all-conference soccer team and Players of the Year were also announced with senior midfielder Mari Punzal earning a spot on the team. Punzal is a two-time first-team all-WAC selection, having earned back-to-back honors in her sophomore and junior seasons. The Kapa'a, Kaua'i native has started all 58 matches in her career in the midfield and is one of just two returning seniors on the squad with significant experience. As a junior last year she tallied two goals and three assists while leading the team in minutes played (1,735).

 

Punzal will be one of the main leaders as the Rainbow Wahine look to bounce back from a 2009 campaign in which the team registered a losing mark for just the second time in the last nine years and failed to qualify for the WAC Tournament for the first time since 2000. Hawai'i finished in seventh in the WAC last season with a 3-5 mark.

 

Utah State, the preseason favorite placed second last season in the WAC with a 5-2-1 regular season record. The Aggies received three first place votes for 59 points. Boise State was voted to finish second, receiving six first place votes with a tally of 58 total points. The Broncos won the 2009 WAC Tournament championship. Last season's regular season champion, San Jose State, received 40 points to place third.

 

Utah State junior forward Shantel Flanary garnered Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, while San Jose State junior defender Jessica Ingram was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

 

The 2010 WAC Soccer Tournament will be held at Lady Techster Soccer Field in Ruston, Louisiana. The six-team tournament runs November 4-7.

 

The Rainbow Wahine kickoff their season on Friday, Aug. 20 when they hosts Pacific in the 'OHANA Hotels and Resorts Shootout. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

 

Team (1st place votes) - Points

1. Utah State (3) - 59

2. Boise State (6) - 58

3. San Jose State - 40

4. Nevada - 36

5. Fresno State - 35

7. Idaho- 28

8. New Mexico State - 26

9. Louisiana Tech - 12

 

 

Shannon Saxton, Sr., F, Boise State

Chelsea Small, So., F, Idaho

Natalie Ratnavira, Jr., F, Nevada

Shantel Flanary, Jr., F, Utah State

Brandy Hickox, Jr., MF, Boise State

Jill Erickson, Sr., MF, Nevada

Lindsay Roberts, Jr., D, Boise State

Kendall VanDine, Jr., D, Fresno State

Jessica Ingram, Jr., D, San Jose State

Kaitlyn Revel, Sr., GK, Fresno State

 

Offensive: Shantel Flanary, Jr., F, Utah State

Defensive: Jessica Ingram, Jr., D, San Jose State