Tigers Picked Fourth in Big West Women's Soccer Poll

The Pacific women's soccer team was picked to finish fourth in the Big West this season in a vote of the conference's head coaches.

The Tigers, who finished tied for third last year at 5-3-0 in the conference, received 51 points in the poll, one less than Cal State Northridge for third.  UC Irvine was named the favorite while Long Beach State was picked second.

Pacific returns 15 letter-winners from the 2010 squad, which finished 8-8-3 overall against one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation. Pacific placed third in the Big West, with a 5-3-0 record, falling in the BWC semifinals to No. 12 UC Irvine, 2-1. The Tigers played seven matches last season against ranked teams, including a loss to National Runner-Up Stanford.

Returning for their senior campaigns with the Tigers are 2010 Second Team All-Big West midfielder Alex Topp and 2010 Second Team All-Big West forward Kristina Wavomba as well as 2009 Big West Midfielder Of The Year and First Team selection Angelica Figueroa. 2010 Big West Freshman of the Year Brittni Beeman anchors the Tigers defense which allowed just six goals to unranked teams last season.

Pacific will face another challenging schedule in 2011, as three of the first four Tiger opponents are ranked or receiving votes. Pacific will meet No. 2 Stanford (August 19) in Palo Alto and take on San Diego (receiving votes) and No. 25 USC in a tournament hosted by USD on August 26 and 28. UC Irvine is ranked No. 17 in the NSCAA preseason poll.

The Tigers will host the California Storm in an exhibition on Saturday at 11 a.m. before opening the regular season on August 19 at home against Nevada in a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Stagg Memorial Stadium. The season-opener is the Tigers Community Night with free admission.