CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.– Austin Peay State University women’s soccer team was predicted to finish tied for seventh place in the 2016 Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll, as voted on by head coaches and sports information representatives.
Defending OVC regular season and tournament champion Murray State was the overwhelming pick to win the league, receiving 18 first-place votes. Southeast Missouri (150 points) was voted second, followed by Tennessee Tech (147, one first-place vote), UT Martin (140, two first-place votes) and Jacksonville State (137).
Morehead State (134 points, one first-place vote) was the final school picked to reach the postseason in sixth place. SIU Edwardsville (84) was also seventh in a tie with the Governors, followed by Belmont (67), Eastern Kentucky (49) and Eastern Illinois (21).
Austin Peay returns eight starters from last season’s group which came one win away from reaching the postseason. Among those returnees are APSU’s top three goal scorers from 2015 – senior Gina Fabbro, sophomore McKenzie Dixon and senior Nicole Wojcik. The talented trio combined for 26 goals, with Dixon and Fabbro earning All-OVC first and second team accolades, respectively, for their efforts.
In addition, seniors Mary Ruth Locastro and Natalie Smith return to anchor a strong defensive unit, while Brianna Avitabile completes the experienced senior class.
Four incoming freshman – Melody Fisher, Mary Parker Powell, Renee Semaan and Taylor White – will make their collegiate debuts this season. The highly-praised group are expected to develop chemistry with teammates and compete for playing time right away.
The Governors will have one exhibition contest – Aug. 14 at Georgia State – before the season officially begins at UAB, Aug. 19.