WINTER PARK, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2010 - Nova Southeastern ties for seventh in the Sunshine State Conference preseason poll, released today for the upcoming 2010 soccer season. The preseason poll is voted on upon by conference coaches and sports information directors.

NSU returns a First-Team All - SSC and All - South Region honoree in Alexis Hernandez (Sr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.), from last year. Hernandez led the team last season in goals, game winning goals and points.

Rollins has been chosen as the preseason favorite to win its third straight Sunshine State Conference women's soccer title. The Tars accumulated 189 points in the annual preseason women's soccer poll, including 14 first-place votes.

Florida Tech, which finished second in the 2009 SSC standings, claimed the other four first-place nods and took second place in the poll. The Panthers received a total of 154 points.

Florida Southern, which placed third in the final standings a year ago, was tabbed to take that same slot in 2010.  The Moccasins finished just two points behind Tech with 152.

Collecting 137 points, Saint Leo ranked fourth in the poll.  If the prognosticators' predictions hold true, fifth through seventh place will be a tightly-contested race in this year's standings. Lynn weighed in fifth with 87 points.  Just one point back was Tampa, which placed sixth with 86.  Barry tied with Nova Southeastern for seventh with 71 points. Eckerd (25) rounded out the poll. NSU kicks off the season in Pensacola, Fla. on Sept. 3 against fourth ranked West Florida at 7 pm. SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
Rank - Team  Points (1st Place Votes) 
1 - Rollins  189 (14) 
2 - Florida Tech  154 (4) 
3 - Florida Southern  152 
4 - Saint Leo  137 
5 - Lynn  87 
6 - Tampa  86 
T7 - Nova Southeastern  71 
T7 - Barry 71 
9 - Eckerd 25