Aug. 11, 2010

SAN BRUNO, Calif. - The Gonzaga University women's soccer team has been selected to finish seventh in the West Coast Conference 2010 preseason poll voted by the coaches.

For the second consecutive season, midfielder Sheridan Jones was placed on the preseason All-WCC team, the conference also announced on Wednesday.

The Zags received 12 points to finish ahead of the University of San Francisco's 11. Gonzaga finished the 2009 season 8-12-0 overall and 2-5-0 in the WCC.

Jones, who was selected to the 2009 All-WCC second team, returns for her senior campaign. The native of Hillsboro, Ore., compiled eight points last season with two goals and four assists.

Second year head coach Amy Edwards and the Bulldogs open the 2010 season Aug. 20 in Pullman, Wash., facing the University of Utah in the Washington State University Tournament. The Bulldogs are slated to face seven schools that appeared in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.

Before they kickoff the season, the Zags will host an intrasquad match this Saturday at Gonzaga Soccer Field. The match has been moved to 2 p.m. instead of previously announced 6 p.m. Admission is free to the public.

Three-time defending WCC champion University of Portland has been favored to successfully repeat as champions. The Pilots garnered seven of eight first place votes while receiving 49 points. Santa Clara University received the other first place vote and 41.5 points as the Broncos were selected to finish. The University of San Diego (38.5) was picked to finish third. All three schools appeared in last year's NCAA Tournament.

Selected fourth was Pepperdine University (27)0, followed by Loyola Marymount University (26), Saints Mary's College (19), the Zags and the Dons.

2010 West Coast Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

(First-place votes in parenthesis)

1. Portland (7) - 49

2. Santa Clara (1) - 41.5

3. San Diego - 38.5

4. Pepperdine - 27

5. Loyola Marymount - 26

6. Saint Mary's - 19

7. Gonzaga - 12

8. San Francisco - 11

2010 WCC Preseason All-Conference Team

Kendra Chandhoke, Portland

Danielle Foxhoven, Portland

Julie Gallaudet, Loyola Marymount

Bianca Henniger, Santa Clara

Sheridan Jones, Gonzaga

Stephanie Ochs, San Diego

Sophie Schmidt, Portland

Michelle Spacciapolli, Pepperdine

Allie Vernon, Santa Clara

Keelin Winters, Portland

Jackie Zinke, San Diego