Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Picked To Win Big 12 Title
August 10, 2012 | Cowgirl Soccer
Aug. 10, 2012
IRVING, Texas – Defending champion Oklahoma State is again the preseason favorite to repeat as Big 12 soccer champions as conference coaches have tabbed the Cowgirls to win the league.
OSU received four first-place votes in the poll, twice as many as West Virginia, which finished second in the preseason standings. The Cowgirls received 60 total points, while the Mountaineers had 56. Also receiving one first-place vote each were Baylor, Kansas and Texas Tech. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
Coach Colin Carmichael's squad was the Big 12 preseason favorite last season, and that prediction came true as OSU captured the second regular season conference title in program history, joining the 2008 Cowgirls in bringing home that crown. The 2011 league championship was also the program's fourth in a row as it captured conference tourney titles in 2009 and 2010.
Earlier this week, the Cowgirls debuted at No. 5 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire preseason national rankings, and four Cowgirls were selected to the 2012 Preseason All-Big 12 Team as AD Franch, Carson Michalowski, Megan Marchesano and Taylor Mathews earned that distinction.
OSU is coming off the best season in program history after going 22-2-2 a year ago and advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women's soccer championship for the second consecutive year before losing to eventual national champion Stanford in overtime.
OSU opens the season Saturday when it hosts an exhibition match against Arkansas at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex. The Cowgirls open regular season play against UMKC on Aug. 17 in Stillwater.
2012 BIG 12 SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
(First place votes in parentheses; Coaches not allowed to vote for own team)
Rank School Points
1. Oklahoma State (4) 60
2. West Virginia (2) 56
3. Baylor (1) 49
4. Kansas (1) 44
5. Texas Tech (1) 39
6. Texas 27
7. Oklahoma 25
8. Iowa State 13
9. TCU 12
