8/19/2008 9:23:33 PM
WALNUT CREEK — Chico State, which captured its first-ever California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title in 2007, has been tabbed to repeat as CCAA Champions in 2008 following a vote of the conference’s head coaches.
Cal State Stanislaus was picked to finish third in the North Division after receiving 39 points in the poll. The Warriors are coming off a strong 2007 season after posting 10-8-2 overall and 7-5-2 CCAA records.
The Wildcats, who have won three North Division titles in the last four seasons, concluded 2007 with a 13-5-3 overall record, including a 10-3-1 mark in CCAA play. Chico State defeated Cal State L.A. in penalty kicks in last year’s CCAA Tournament final to claim the conference crown.
Ranked No. 24 in the NSCAA/adidas preseason national poll, the Wildcats were named on four ballots to win the CCAA, edging Cal State Dominguez Hills, which received three votes. The Toros enter the season ranked No. 13 nationally.
Cal State Dominguez Hills, which concluded 2007 with a 14-5-4 overall record, including an 8-3-3 mark in CCAA play, reached the second round of last year’s NCAA Division II Far West Regional.
Chico State was picked to finish first in the North Division after receiving 58 points. Sonoma State garnered 50 points and was selected to finish second ahead of Cal State Stanislaus (39), Humboldt State (31), San Francisco State (29) and Cal State Monterey Bay (14).
UC San Diego, which posted a 12-4-2 overall record, including a 9-2-2 mark in conference play a year ago, was picked to win the CCAA’s South Division. The Tritons received 45 points to finish ahead of Cal State Dominguez Hills, which totaled 42 points. Cal State L.A. (28) was third and was followed by Cal Poly Pomona (23) and Cal State San Bernardino (22).
Chico State, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Sonoma State and UC San Diego were selected to reach the CCAA Tournament. The Tritons and Seawolves each received two votes to win the conference tournament.
Sonoma State will be the first CCAA team to kick off its 2008 campaign when it hosts UC Santa Cruz on August 22 with the remainder of the teams set to open play on August 28. CCAA play begins September 10 when Cal State San Bernardino hosts Cal Poly Pomona.
California Collegiate Athletic Association
2008 Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
North
Rank Team (First place votes) Points
1. Chico State (8) - 58
2. Sonoma State (3) - 50
3. Cal State Stanislaus - 39
4. Humboldt State - 31
5. San Francisco State - 29
6. Cal State Monterey Bay - 14
South
Rank Team (First place votes) Points
1. UC San Diego (6) - 45
2. Cal State Dominguez Hills (5) - 42
3. Cal State L.A. - 28
4. Cal Poly Pomona - 23
5. Cal State San Bernardino - 22
Conference Tournament Participants
1. Chico State. 2. Cal State Dominguez Hills. 3. UC San Diego. 4. Sonoma State
CCAA Tournament Champion (Votes)
Team (Votes)
Chico State (4)
Cal State Dominguez Hills (3)
Sonoma State (2)
UC San Diego (2)