Aug. 13, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Wake Forest women's soccer team is ranked 21st nationally in the preseason rankings released Tuesday afternoon by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and adidas.

The Deacons return eight starters and 17 letterwinners from last year's team that finished with a 13-7-3 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 12th straight year, falling to Connecticut in the second round. Wake Forest also welcomes nine newcomers to this year's team.

Six of Wake Forest's 2008 opponents are also ranked in the poll, including five Atlantic Coast Conference teams. ACC foes North Carolina (3rd), Florida State (4th) and Virginia (6th) are in the top 10 of the preseason poll. Other opponents ranked include Boston College (14th), Texas A&M (15th) and Duke (16th).

Defending national champion Southern California claimed the top spot in the poll, while UCLA is ranked second.

Wake Forest opens its exhibition schedule at home on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Appalachian State. The Deacons will close their exhibition schedule on Tuesday, August 19, at 1 p.m. as they host Vanderbilt. The regular season opener is scheduled for Friday, August 22, at 7 p.m. against Utah at Spry Stadium.

NSCAA/adidas Preseason Women's Soccer Rankings
1. Southern California
2. UCLA
3. North Carolina
4. Florida State
5. Notre Dame
6. Portland
6. Virginia
8. Texas
9. Penn State
10. Stanford
11. Connecticut
12. West Virginia
13. Tennessee
14. Boston College
15. Texas A&M
16. Duke
17. California
18. Georgia
19. Illinois
20. Florida
21. Wake Forest
22. Santa Clara
23. Oklahoma State
24. Purdue
25. San Diego

*2008 Opponents in italics

-WakeForestSports.com-