The Cal Poly women’s soccer team was voted as the favorite in the Big West Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, and three players represented the Mustangs on Wednesday’s preseason all-conference team.
Cal Poly, which last year won the regular-season title at 7-1-0, received six first-place votes on the way to a 77-point total from the balloting.
Two of the remaining three first-place votes went to UC Irvine (voted second overall, with 64 points), while the other was cast for Cal State Fullerton (fourth; 58). In-between, Long Beach State was projected third (59).
The Mustangs have back six starters from 2013, plus 11 others who were also on the pitch, four returning redshirts and 11 true freshmen.
Two forwards, junior Elise Krieghoff and sophomore Megan Abutin, were selected to the 11-player preseason list, along with junior goalkeeper Alyssa Giannetti.
Krieghoff was also recently named to the preseason watch list for All White Kit’s national Forward of the Year award.
Among teammates also selected for other preseason accolades, first-year attacking player McKenzie Flood was chosen as College Sports Madness’ Preseason Big West Freshman of the Year, and junior outside back Allie Bégin was named a second-team defender.
The Mustangs host Westmont in an exhibition at 7 p.m. Thursday in Alex G. Spanos Stadium before visiting Pepperdine for the regular-season opener at 3 p.m. Aug. 22.