Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Ranked No. 5 In Preseason Poll
August 07, 2012 | Cowgirl Soccer
Aug. 7, 2012
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Oklahoma State achieved its highest-ever preseason national ranking today when the National Soccer Coaches Association of America tabbed the Cowgirls No. 5 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Division I Rankings.
The No. 5 preseason ranking tops the previous OSU record set by the 2009 squad, which debuted at No. 11, and marks the sixth-straight year the Cowgirls have been ranked in the preseason poll.
OSU also extends its string of consecutive weeks in the national rankings to 29, a program-record streak that dates back to the 2010 preseason. Additionally, the Cowgirls have now been ranked in the top five of the NSCAA poll for 13-straight weeks. They were ranked in the top five for the final 12 weeks in 2011, including a span of eight weeks in which they held the No. 2 spot.
Stanford occupies the top spot in the 2012 NSCAA preseason rankings, followed by Duke, Wake Forest and Florida State. OSU is one of two Big 12 Conference teams in the rankings, with West Virginia coming in at No. 20.
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. The Cowgirls also won a fourth-straight Big 12 Conference championship by claiming the league's regular season crown.
In 2012, OSU returns six starters, including All-American goalkeeper AD Franch and All-Big 12 performers Carson Michalowski and Megan Marchesano. The Cowgirls also return their leading scorer in junior midfielder Taylor Mathews, who recorded nine goals and seven assists last season.
OSU opens the season Saturday when it hosts an exhibition match against Arkansas at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex. The Cowgirls open the regular season against UMKC on Aug. 17 in Stillwater.
