Soccer - Aug. 19
Fayetteville, N.C.- Meredith College, under the direction of ninth-year Head Coach Paul Smith, was picked in the preseason coaches' poll to win the USA South Athletic Conference women's soccer title in 2009. The Avenging Angels are the defending USA South Tournament Champions. Last season's tournament crown was the program and school's first-ever Conference title. This fall, Meredith will attempt to improve on its second place regular season finish from a season ago.

Meredith received six of ten first place votes (77 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Christopher Newport University, the defending USA South Regular Season Champions, finished a close second in the balloting with 75 points and three first place votes. Following CNU, in third place, was Methodist University with 65 points and the remaining first place vote. Greensboro College, with 54 points, placed fourth in the poll while Shenandoah University rounded out the top-half of the voting with 48 points.

Meredith's regular season gets underway on Tuesday, September 1 at 7 p.m. when they host Guilford College. This will be the first game played in Meredith's new Athletic Field and Track Complex and will follow the 5 p.m. Cross Country meet against Peace College.

The USA South Athletic Conference announced earlier this summer that the Southern Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority will host its 2009 Men's and Women's Soccer Tournament semifinals and finals. The contests will be held at the Smith River Sports Complex in Martinsville, Virginia on November 6 and 7. This will be the first of a two-year commitment as the 2010 semifinals and finals will also be held in Martinsville. The first round games of the tournaments will continue to be held on the campuses of the higher seeded team.

2009 USA South Coaches Poll
Rank Institution (1st place Votes) Pts.
1. Meredith (6) 77
2. Christopher Newport (3) 75
3. Methodist (1) 65
4. Greensboro 54
5. Shenandoah 48
6. N.C. Wesleyan 41
7. Ferrum 35
8. Averett 29
t-9. Mary Baldwin 13
t-9. Peace 13