Aug. 18, 2003

DALLAS -- Texas was picked to win the 2003 Big 12 soccer title in a preseason poll voted on by the head coaches and released by the conference office Monday.

The Longhorns garnered seven first place votes (coaches were not allowed to vote for own team or players) to finish with 96 points. Defending champion Texas A&M was picked second with two first place votes and 89 points. Defending Big 12 Tournament champion Nebraska was third with the other two first place votes and 88 points. Missouri and Colorado rounded out the top five with 63 and 62 points, respectively. Other places were 6. Oklahoma, 55 points; 7. Kansas, 53 points, 8. Oklahoma State, 35 points; 9. Iowa State, 29 points; 10. Baylor, 25 points; 11. Texas Tech, 10 points.

Texas won the 2001 Big 12 championship. In addition to Texas A&M's 2002 title, the Aggies were also champions in 1997. Baylor took the 1998 crown and Nebraska won the 1996, 1999 and 2000 titles.

The coaches also voted on the Preseason All-Conference Team. Texas A&M's Kati Jo Spisak was named the goalkeeper after tying for first team All-Big 12 honors at the conclusion of last season. Five defenders were chosen due to a tie in the voting. Those picked were Texas' Laura Kram and Amy Burlingham, Texas A&M's Shannon Labhart, Baylor's Melissa Humke, and Missouri's Lacy Moore. Kram was a second team all-conference selection last year. Midfielders were the same three who made the All-Big 12 first team in 2002: Colorado's Fran Munnelly, Texas' Kati McBain, and Texas A&M's Kristen Strutz. Forwards were Texas' Kelly Wilson and Kelly McDonald, and Kansas' Caroline Smith. Wilson was a first team All-Big 12 selection last year while McDonald was on the second team and Smith on the All-Newcomer Team.

Big 12 soccer teams begin regular season action on Friday, Aug. 29, with a full slate of non-conference games.

2003 BIG 12 SOCCER COACHES PRESEASON POLL
(first place votes in parentheses; coaches not allowed to vote for own team or players)

1. Texas (7) 96
2. Texas A&M (2) 89
3. Nebraska (2) 88
4. Missouri 63
5. Colorado 62
6. Oklahoma 55
7. Kansas 53
8. Oklahoma State 35
9. Iowa State 29
10. Baylor 25
11. Texas Tech 10

2003 PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 CONFERENCE SOCCER TEAM
GK -- Kati Jo Spisak, Texas A&M, So, Manchester, Mo.
D -- Laura Kram, Texas, Jr, Wildwood, Mo.
D -- Shannon Labhart, Texas A&M, Jr, Allen Texas
*D -- Melissa Humke, Baylor, Sr, The Woodlands, Texas
*D -- Lacy Moore, Missouri, Jr, Englewood, Colo.
*D -- Amy Burlingham, Texas, Fr, Costa Mesa, Calif.
MF -- Kati McBain, Texas, So, Los Altos, Calif.
MF -- Fran Munnelly, Colorado, So, Arvada, Colo.
MF -- Kristen Strutz, Texas A&M, So, Spring, Texas
F -- Kelly Wilson, Texas, Jr, Odessa, Texas
F -- Caroline Smith, Kansas, So, Edina, Minn.
F -- Kelly McDonald, Texas, Jr, Littleton, Colo.

*Tied for position