Women's Soccer | 08/07/2018

BIG SKY RELEASE

OGDEN, Utah – Preseason Big Sky rankings are out, and it appears the rest of the conference is not too worried about the new-look Vandals, picking Idaho to finish seventh.
 
For first year head coach Jeremy Clevenger, the preseason polls are not nearly as important as the work that his squad is putting in already.
 
"Preseason polls don't really mean much," Clevenger said.  "Recognition can be good, but you can use it for motivation or you can use it for the opposite and overlook some teams.  It doesn't matter to us, we're just going to prepare and try to become the best team we can.  Just prepare every day to get ready for the Big Sky Conference schedule."
 
The Vandals took 33 points in the annual Coaches Poll to finish just ahead of Weber State (31) for seventh.  Defending champion, Eastern Washington, was picked first for the second consecutive season, taking in 78 of a possible 90 points, including eight first place votes.
 
Northern Colorado (69/1) and Montana (66/1) also received first place votes, and finished second and third, respectively, in the poll.  NAU (51), Sacramento State (50) and Portland State (43) round out the teams projected to make the Big Sky Tournament in Ogden.
 
Last season, Idaho finished in a four-way tie for fifth in the conference standings, but missed out on the postseason due to tiebreakers.
 
It is not the first time Idaho has been picked low in the Big Sky.  Idaho was picked ninth, with 32 points, ahead of the 2015 season, a season that saw the Vandals finish 9-0-1 in the Big Sky for their first ever conference championship.
 
Idaho returns most of last year's roster, including 10-of-11 starters and 18-of-21 letterwinners.  The team will head out to Salt Lake City for its first exhibition, against Utah, on Aug. 10, before taking on Central Washington at home on Aug. 14.  The regular season opener comes on Friday, Aug. 17, at Nevada.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho soccer by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @VandalsSoccer, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals Women's Soccer.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.
 
FULL POLL
 

2018 Big Sky Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
School	Total Points (First-place votes)
1. Eastern Washington	78 (8)
2. Northern Colorado	69 (1)
3. Montana	66 (1)
4. Northern Arizona	51
5. Sacramento State	50
6. Portland State	43
7. Idaho	33
8. Weber State	31
9. Southern Utah	20
10. Idaho State	9