Seniors Laura Miguez and Jessica Northcutt and junior Claire Ward were all named to the preseason squad. All three were on the All-Sun Belt Conference team in 2003.

"I think they earned it based on what they did the last couple of years and, hopefully, they will be able to continue their progress this season," Middle Tennessee soccer coach Aston Rhoden said. "I hope they see this as a challenge, and I hope they will do well enough to showcase others on our team."

The Blue Raiders set a school record for wins in 2003 with 12 and tied for second in the Sun Belt, their highest finish since joining the league. Middle Tennessee accumulated 60 points in preseason balloting to be picked fourth behind Denver (78), North Texas (67) and Western Kentucky (63).

Rhoden said he doesn't place a great deal of emphasis on where the team is picked in the preseason.

"Whether we were picked first or last in the preseason our goals are not going to change," Rhoden said. "Our goal is to do the best we can do this year and our position in the preseason poll does not change that."

Miguez, who hails from Dallas, Texas, heads into the 2004 season first on the Blue Raider career lists in assists (22), points (68) and tied for first in goals (23). She was one of three forwards named to the team. Miguez led Middle Tennessee in points and assists and finished second in goals in 2003 as she earned second-team All-SBC honors.

Northcutt, a senior from Atlanta, Ga., adjusted well to her first season as a defender in 2003 and was selected as one of four defenders on the preseason squad. She earned first-team All-SBC honors as she emerged as one of the conference's best defenders and keyed the stingiest team in the Sun Belt.

Ward, a native of Ayr, Scotland, made a strong debut in 2003 and was named the SBC's Newcomer of the Year. Ward was named to the team as one of three midfielders. The savvy midfielder started in all 21 matches in 2003, scoring three goals.

The Blue Raiders begin the 2004 season at Mississippi State Friday.

PRESEASON ALL-SBC PREDICTIONS
Denver (8) 78
North Texas (1) 67
Western Kentucky 63
Middle Tennessee 60
South Alabama 40
Arkansas-Little Rock 28
Florida International 26
Louisiana-Lafayette 25
Arkansas State 18

FORWARDS
Lleane Grimditch, So., Denver
Laura Miguez, Sr., Middle Tennessee
Melinda Pina, Sr., North Texas

MIDFIELDERS
Andrea Doogs, Sr., Western Kentucky
Laura Mann, So., Denver
Claire Ward, Jr., Middle Tennessee

DEFENSEMEN
Krista Georgas, Sr., North Texas
Maggie Kirchhoff, Sr., Denver
Megan Meade, Sr., FIU
Jessica Northcutt, Sr., Middle Tennessee

GOALKEPPER
Marsha Stewart, Jr., Arkansas-Little Rock

PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lleane Grimditch, Denver

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