Panthers Picked As Preseason Favorite In Horizon League
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Aug. 11, 2008) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team has been picked to win the Horizon League in 2008, according to the league's annual preseason coaches' poll released Monday. The Panthers, who topped the poll for the ninth-straight season, own the second-longest championship streak in the nation, having won the last eight regular season titles. Milwaukee picked up seven first-place votes and topped the poll with 63 points. Loyola was second with 58 points, while tallying two first-place votes. The Panthers and Ramblers met in the league title game last season, tying 2-2, with LUC winning the league title in a penalty kick shootout. Wright State was picked third with 47 points, edging Butler in fourth with 46. Detroit and Valparaiso tied for fifth with 31 points, while Cleveland State and Green Bay tied for seventh with 19. Youngstown State rounded out the poll with 10 points in ninth. The Panthers return 17 letterwinners and seven starters from 2007, including all-league first-team members Erin Kane, Sarah Teegarden and Kate Megna. Milwaukee kicks off the 2008 season Wednesday, Aug. 13, hosting Toledo in an exhibition game at Engelmann Field. The regular season gets underway Aug.22, when the Panthers will take on Wisconsin.
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