PARK RIDGE, Ill. – The Big Ten announced its 2012 women’s soccer preseason coaches’ poll and players to watch list on Tuesday, with defending regular season champion Penn State earning top honors among the 12 conference teams. The Nittany Lions enter the season as the conference favorites after winning their 14th straight Big Ten title in 2011.
Penn State compiled a 10-1-0 record in Big Ten play last season en route to the conference crown. Illinois checks in at No. 2 after earning its first Big Ten Tournament title since 2003. Ohio State follows at No. 3 in the poll, jumping four spots from its seventh place finish a year ago. Wisconsin and Michigan come in at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively, while Iowa and Michigan State tied for sixth. The complete preseason coaches’ poll can be found below. The 36-player Big Ten Players to Watch List is attached.
The 2012 season officially kicks off on Friday with 11 conference teams opening play.
BIG TEN WOMEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
1. Penn State
2. Illinois
3. Ohio State
4. Wisconsin
5. Michigan
6. Iowa
7. Michigan State
8. Minnesota
9. Purdue
10. Nebraska
11. Northwestern
12. Indiana