AIKEN, SC--USC Aiken’s women’s soccer team was picked to finish sixth in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) by the league’s coaches. Defending champ Kennesaw State took the top spot in the poll that was released by the conference office on Tuesday. The Lady Pacers return 13 letterwinners, including six starters, from a team that finished 8-8-3 overall last season and 1-4-2 in the PBC.

USC Aiken will open its 2003 campaign on September 3, with a trip to Montevallo, Ala., to battle the University of Montevallo. The match is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m.

Head Coach Ike Ofoje is happy to see the top three goal scorers from last year’s squad return to USCA in 2003. Included in that group are PBC All-Conference selections Melissa Schnoering and Jen Mascarin.

The Lady Pacers earned 19 total points, seven more than seventh place Lander University’s 12 points. USCA was picked to finish fourth on one ballot, fifth on three ballots and sixth on three ballots.

Kennesaw State posted a perfect PBC record (7-0) in 2002, its inaugural season of women’s soccer. The Lady Owls were selected first on six ballots and earned a total of 48 points, five more than second place North Florida. The Lady Ospreys received two first place votes and totaled 43 points.

Francis Marion (36), Clayton State (32) and USC Spartanburg (25) placed third, fourth and fifth in the poll.

UNC Pembroke, in the eighth and final spot, followed USC Aiken and Lander with nine points.

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