SAN DIEGO – San Diego State has been picked first in the 2018 Mountain West preseason women's soccer coaches' poll. The recognition marks the sixth straight year in which SDSU will begin the season as the conference favorite.
"I'm really excited about our team and the start of the season," head coach Mike Friesen said. "Being picked first is nice, but we know we have a lot of work to do and the only ranking that matters is the one at the end of the season."
The Aztecs earned 112 points and four first-place votes to sit atop the league, while second-place San Jose State recorded 111 points and five first-place considerations. This represents the third consecutive year the teams have finished 1-2 in the preseason poll.
Boise State was selected third with 99 points and garnered a pair of first-place tallies. Sitting in fourth and fifth, respectively, were UNLV (83 points) and New Mexico (80). Fresno State rounded out the top half of the standings in sixth place and pocketed the last first-place vote to go with its 65 points.
Utah State (64) found itself in seventh place in the poll and was followed by Wyoming (8th; 51), Air Force (9th; 47) and Colorado College (10th; 42). Colorado State (26) and Nevada (12) finished in 11th and 12th place, respectively.
The Aztecs enter 2018 having won four of the last six Mountain West regular-season titles and eight of the last 12 MW trophies overall (regular season and tournament). San Diego State has also appeared in the last six conference championship games (4-0-2), including in 2017 when it lifted the trophy en route to the NCAA tournament.
SDSU returns eight starters and 12 letterwinners off last season's team that ultimately posted a 12-8-2 record (7-2-2 Mountain West), and won six consecutive games going into the field of 64. The Aztecs return four of their top six point-earners, including sophomore Mia Root, who led the team with 10 goals in 2017. Junior Gabby English also returns after having started all 43 games across two seasons in between the posts.
The Aztecs will get their season underway on Friday when they welcome Cal State Fullerton to SDSU Sports Deck. The clash between two 2017 NCAA tournament participants is slated for a 7 p.m. PT start. Admission to the game is free.
2018 Mountain West Preseason Coaches' Poll
Team (1st place votes) - Points
1. San Diego State (4) - 112
2. San Jose State (5) - 111
3. Boise State (2) - 99
4. UNLV - 83
5. New Mexico - 80
6. Fresno State (1) - 65
7. Utah State - 64
8. Wyoming - 51
9. Air Force - 47
10. Colorado College - 42
11. Colorado State - 26
12. Nevada – 12