Aug. 20, 2003
DENVER - The University of Denver women's soccer team was chosen by the Sun Belt Conference head coaches to win the 2003 league title in the preseason poll released Wednesday, August 20.
The Pioneers received five of the nine first-place votes and totaled 77 points to finish just ahead of North Texas, who was second with 74 points. Western Kentucky was third, followed by South Alabama and Middle Tennessee completing the top five. Rounding out the list was Arkansas-Little Rock, Arkansas State, Florida International and Louisiana-Lafayette.
In Denver's four years of league competition, the team has won one regular season championship (2002) and two Sun Belt Tournament Championships (2001,2002). The Pioneers were the first team to receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Soccer National Tournament two years in a row. Last season Denver went 17-2-2, was a perfect 8-0 in conference play and this year will return three All-Sun Belt picks from that team.
The coaches also voted on the preseason all-conference team. Denver's Mychael Movius (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) was named a forward after ranking eighth in the conference for assists and was a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection last year. Senior Melissa Behrent (Westminster, Colo.) received accolades at the midfield position. All-American defender Jamie Norwood (Littleton, Colo.) was chosen after recording a team-high 14 assists and leading a defense that recorded a record-breaking 14 shutouts last season.
The Pioneers kick off their season at home Friday, August 29, when they play host to Northern Colorado at Pioneer Field. Admission to the match, which begins at 2 p.m., is free.
2003 Sun Belt Conference PreSeason Women's Soccer Coaches Poll Note: Coaches not allowed to vote for their own teams
Team Pts.(1st)Denver 77 (5)North Texas 74 (4)Western Kentucky 53South Alabama 48Middle Tennessee 45Florida International 41UL Lafayette 31Arkansas State 19Arkansas-Little Rock 17
