The Sports Inquirer

Release from Big Ten Conference:

Rosemont, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2014 women’s soccer preseason coaches’ poll and players to watch list on Wednesday, with Penn State earning top honors among the 14 conference teams. The Nittany Lions enter the season as the conference favorites after making their 19^th straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2013.

Penn State completed the 2013 campaign with a 7-4-0 conference record (15-7-1 overall), and returns eight starters for the 2014 season. The Nittany Lions have won 15 of the last 16 Big Ten women’s soccer titles.

Wisconsin checks in at No. 2 in the preseason poll, followed by Maryland at No. 3 in its first year in the conference, defending Big Ten champion Nebraska at No. 4 and Michigan at No. 5.

The 2014 players to watch list includes Illinois’ Jannelle Flaws, the 2013 Big Ten Forward of the Year, reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Tarah Hobbs from Minnesota and Wisconsin’s Rose Lavelle, the 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The list also includes four first-team All-Big Ten honorees from last season, five second-team selections and seven All-Freshman Team honorees.

The 2014 season officially kicks off on Friday, Aug. 22, with all 14 conference teams in action.

BIG TEN WOMEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

1. Penn State

2. Wisconsin

3. Maryland

4. Nebraska

5. Michigan

6. Ohio State

7. Illinois

T8. Iowa

T8. Rutgers

1. Indiana

2. Minnesota

3. Michigan State

4. Northwestern

5. Purdue