Principia Women's Soccer Looks to Defend Title in 2009

ST. LOUIS - The Principia College women's soccer team grabbed the No. 1 spot in the 2009 SLIAC Women's Soccer Pre-Season Coaches' Poll. The Panthers, who went undefeated in conference play at 8-0, 19-2 overall and captured both the regular season and conference tournament titles, received five first place votes in the poll.

Principia head coach Lee Ellis loses six players from last year's squad, but he does return SLIAC Player and Newcomer of the Year Alicia Girbes-Pierce. Girbes-Pierce, a sophomore forward, led the SLIAC in points (46) and goals (20) in 2008. Sophomore midfielder Lauren Wienecke returns for the Panthers and was a First Team All-SLIAC selection last season. Also returning are senior midfielder Alicia Lane, who was the 2008 SLIAC Tournament MVP and senior forward/midfielder Carey Erwin, who was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Webster University (15-5, 6-2) is second in poll and received four first place votes. The Gorloks return First Team All-SLIAC honoree, junior forward Christy Capkovic. She led the squad last season with 15 goals, 11 assists and 41 points. Second Team All-SLIAC selections Kristin Garlich and Jenna Steiner also return for Webster. Garlich is a senior defender, while Steiner, a senior midfielder, posted six goals and seven assists for 19 points in 2008. Joining Garlich in the backfield will be senior Jessie Schellerup.

Greenville was selected to finish third in the pre-season poll. The Panthers finished in a tie for fourth place last season with a record of 10-9-1 overall and 5-3 in the SLIAC. Fontbonne, who tied for fourth place last season and received the fourth and final spot in the SLIAC Tournament, rounds out the top four teams in the pre-season poll. The Griffins posted a record of 14-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play.

Joining the SLIAC this year is Spalding University. The Golden Eagles are eligible for the regular season conference championship and SLIAC awards, but due to their NCAA provisional membership, they may not qualify for the Conference Tournament.