Aug. 15, 2005

IRVING (SMU/C-USA) - SMU has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2005 Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship by the league's coaches, the conference announced today. Individually, Mustang junior forward Olivia O'Rear was named the Preseason C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and sophomore defender/midfielder Kimber Bailey was tabbed a "Player To Watch".

The Mustangs compiled a 15-4-3 overall record last season under head coach John Cossaboon and reached their fourth-straight NCAA Tournament. Leading the `Stangs will be 2004 NSCAA All-Region selection O'Rear and Bailey, who combined for 33 goals last season.

The top eight finishers in the regular season earn a spot in the 2005 Conference USA Tournament, hosted by Rice, Nov. 2-5. SMU will host its annual alumnae game on Aug. 18 at Westcott Field.

2005 C-USA PRESEASON POLL(as selected by C-USA coaches)1. SMU2. UCF3. UAB4. Rice5. Memphis6. UTEP7. East Carolina8. Tulsa9. Tulane10. Houston11. Marshall12. Southern Miss
2005 C-USA PRESEASON AWARDS
C-USA PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAROlivia O'Rear, Jr., F, SMU
C-USA PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEARPam Cooney, Jr., D, UAB
CONFERENCE USA PLAYERS TO WATCHMeghan McCallion, Sr., F, East CarolinaRachel Hils, Jr., D/MF, East CarolinaSarah Fisher, Jr., D/MF, HoustonSophia Mundy, Jr., MF/F, HoustonJamie Gruber, Sr., MF, MarshallKassie Hollman, So., F, MarshallNicky McLeod, Sr., MF, MemphisMelissa Savage. Jr., MF, MemphisErin Droeger, Sr., D, RiceClory Martin, So., F, RiceOlivia O'Rear, Jr., F, SMUKimber Bailey, So., D/MF, SMUMicah Stephens, Sr. D/MF, Southern MissKim Turner, Jr., MF, Southern MissJackie Obert, Jr., MF, TulaneCarrie Schnarre, Sr., F, TulsaKatie Ward, Jr., F, TulsaJennifer Williams, Jr., MF, UABPam Cooney, Jr., D, UABCourtney Baines, Sr., D/F, UCFJennifer Montgomery, Sr., F, UCFKaletia Roberts, Sr., MF, UTEPKia Sams, Sr., MF, UTEP