NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Christopher Newport University, under the direction of third-year Head Coach Ruth Keegan, was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to repeat as the USA South Athletic Conference women's soccer champions in 2010. The Captains are defending champions, after winning the program's fourth title in the last six years. Last season, CNU finished second in the regular season and went on to win the USA South Tournament, advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
Christopher Newport received eight of ten first place votes (80 points) as head coaches can not vote for their own teams in the balloting. Meredith College, the defending USA South Regular Season Champions, were picked second in the balloting with 74 points and the remaining two first place votes.
CNU will kick off the 2010 campaign on September 3 in a neutral site contest against preseason nationally ranked number one Messiah College (Pa.) at 6:00 p.m. The teams will match up on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan College as a part of the Orthopaedic Associates of Virginia Classic.
The USA South Athletic Conference Tournament will once again be held in Martinsville, Va. as the Southern Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority will host the 2010 Men's and Women's Soccer semifinals and finals. The contests will be held at the Smith River Sports Complex in Martinsville, Va. on November 5 and 6. This will be the second of a two-year commitment in Martinsville. The first round games of the tournament will continue to be held on the campuses of the higher seeded team.
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2010 USA South Coaches Poll
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Rank
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Institution (1st Place Votes)
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Pts.
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1.
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Christopher Newport (8)
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80
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2.
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Meredith (2)
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74
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t-3.
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Greensboro
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58
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t-3.
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Shenandoah
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58
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5.
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Methodist
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49
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6.
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Averett
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39
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7.
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N.C. Wesleyan
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36
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8.
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Ferrum
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30
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9.
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Peace
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14
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10.
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Mary Baldwin
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12
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