Southern Illinois University Edwardsville issued the following announcement on Aug. 10
The head coaches and communication directors of the Ohio Valley Conference have tabbed SIUE women's soccer to win the 2021 OVC title, the league announced Tuesday morning. The Cougars received 12 first-place votes and 121 points. Murray State, which won its fifth regular-season title last year, earned four first-place votes and 116 points for a second-place finish while Southeast Missouri picked up two first-place votes and 99 points for a third-place predicted finish. UT Martin is picked to finish fourth with 89 points while Belmont and Tennessee Tech each earned 66 points for a fifth-place tie. Rounding out the poll are Austin Peay (43), Eastern Illinois (28) and Morehead State (20).
SIUE heads into the 2021 season anticipating a repeat of last season, which saw the Cougars secure their third OVC crown and third trip to the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. The NCAA run was made even more special with an 11th-minute goal from SIUE's Maria Haro, which was the only goal scored on eventual National Semifinalist and preseason No. 4 Virginia. The Virginia Cavaliers would go on to shut out Brigham Young, Florida State, Rice, and TCU en route to the Women's College Cup.
The Red & White return all but two starters from last season's championship squad. Highlighting the returning Cougars include OVC Forward of the Year MacKenzie Litzsinger, United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Second Team member Lily Schnieders, and OVC All-Newcomer member Matea Diekema.
SIUE will play in two exhibition matches before officially kicking off the 2021 season at Korte Stadium, as the Cougars play host to Chicago State.
Original source can be found here.
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