Athletics

Penn State women's soccer picked as Big Ten preseason favorites

The No. 6 Penn State women's soccer team has been picked to defend its 2014 Big Ten regular season title, according to the 2015 Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll released Wednesday. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The No. 6 Penn State women's soccer team has been picked to defend its 2014 Big Ten regular season title, according to the 2015 Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll released Wednesday.

Three players from each Big Ten team were named Big Ten Women's Soccer Preseason Players to Watch, with seniors Britt Eckerstrom, Raquel Rodriguez and Mallory Weber representing the Nittany Lion Blue and White. This is Rodriguez's third-straight appearance on the Preseason Players to Watch list.

Penn State appeared in its 20th-straight NCAA Tournament in 2014, closing out the season with a 20-4-0 overall record. The Nittany Lions return 18 student-athletes from last year's squad, including the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year in Rodriguez and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in Emily Ogle. The Nittany Lions welcomed nine student-athletes to the program for the 2015 campaign.

The Nittany Lions have sat atop the Big Ten preseason poll every season since the poll began in 2003. They begin the quest for their 17th Big Ten title and 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament berth with the Penn State Invitational at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 against Hofstra.

Last Updated August 13, 2015