AIKEN, S.C.--The USC Aiken women’s soccer team is picked to finish ninth according to the 2005 Peach Belt Conference preseason coaches poll, released by conference officials. Under first-year head coach Susan Vodicka, the Lady Pacers received 14 totals points including one fifth, sixth, and seventh-place votes and five eighth-place tallies.

USC Upstate nipped Clayton State for the top spot in the closest balloting in conference history. Upstate collected five first-place votes for a total of 60 points while Clayton State picked up the other four first-place nods and is one point back in 59.

The Peach Belt Conference will take on a new look in 2005 with the exit of North Florida to Division I and the entrance of North Georgia into the league. Also, Armstrong Atlantic State joined the ranks of women’s soccer with their first-year program.

Columbus State, in just its second year of existence is third with 46 points followed by UNC Pembroke (44), Lander (36), Armstrong Atlantic State (25), Georgia College & State University (21), North Georgia (19), and USC Aiken (14).

Eight-points were awarded for first-place votes, seven-points for second, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

USC Aiken, who finished 2-12-2 overall and 1-7-0 in the PBC last year, will open up the 2005 campaign on Thursday, September 1 when they host Anderson College at 5:00 PM.

2005 Peach Belt Conference
Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll

Team..........................................Points
1. USC Upstate (5).......................60
2. Clayton State (4)......................59
3. Columbus State........................46
4. UNC Pembroke.........................44
5. Lander.....................................36
6. Armstrong Atlantic State.........25
7. Georgia College & State...........21
8. North Georgia..........................19
9. USC Aiken.............................14

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