Photo Courtesy: Bennett Scarborough

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. – With the start of the 2011 women's soccer just over two weeks away, the Atlantic Sun has announced its preseason coaches' poll as well as the preseason all-conference team.  USC Upstate was tabbed 10^th in the poll released today by the conference office in Macon, Ga.

The Spartans look to improve on last season's success under now second year head coach Renee Lopez.  A season ago, the Spartans posted their highest A-Sun points total while earning a pair of double-overtime draws against A-Sun Champion Florida Gulf Coast and A-Sun tournament participant Stetson.

"We made strides last year in close games with FGCU, Stetson, ETSU and Mercer," said Lopez.  "We have some great additions to our team with our 2011 recruiting class.  These players will add much needed depth, especially in our offense that can help us in important A-Sun games."

FGCU was tabbed to repeat as regular season champions with six first-place votes and 96 total points.  The Eagles were also picked to win the conference tournament with six of 11 votes.

Jacksonville was picked second with 83 points and collected one first-place vote, with Mercer following in third with 80 votes and one first-place vote.  Kennesaw State picked up the final two first-place votes and was selected fourth with 79 votes.

North Florida (54 points) was predicted fifth while Stetson (47) and Belmont (44) followed in sixth and seventh, respectively.  ETSU (37), Lipscomb (17) and Upstate (13) rounded out the 2011 preseason poll.

KC Correllus was chosen as both Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year.  The FGCU Defender claimed both postseason awards last season.

The Spartans kick-off the 2011 season with an exhibition against Spartanburg Methodist College on Aug. 16^th at 6 p.m.

Preseason Player of the Year: KC Correllus, FGCU

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: KC Correllus, FGCU

Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team

Pos.      Name                                   School                            CL

GK        Stephanie Powers                 FGCU                              Sr.        

*D         KC Correllus                        FGCU                              Sr.      

D           Gretchen Sutch                     Belmont                           Sr.      

D           Alexis Hermosa                    Stetson                             Sr.      

*MF       Olivia Tucker                       Mercer                             Sr.      

MF         Liz Fink                               Jacksonville                     Sr.      

MF         Jessica Hurtado                    Jacksonville                    Sr.      

MF         Olivia Elias                          FGCU                             Sr.      

*F          Lauren Hopfensperger          North Florida                 Sr.      

F            Brittany Vining                    Kennesaw State              Sr.      

F            Alyssa Mahan                       Kennesaw State              So.     

*- Unanimous Choice

Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches Poll

 Pl.    Team (1^st Place Votes)           Points

1. FGCU (6)                                 96
2. Jacksonville (1)                       83
3. Mercer (1)                               80
4. Kennesaw State (2)                79
5. North Florida                          54
6. Stetson                                    47
7. Belmont                                  44
8. ETSU                                       37
9. Lipscomb                                 17
10. USC Upstate                           13

Predicted 2011 Tournament Champions: FGCU (6 votes)