Vols Voted Third in SEC Soccer Preseason Poll

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – No. 25 Tennessee was predicted to finish third in the Southeastern Conference in a vote of the league's head coaches, the conference office announced Tuesday morning. This marks UT's highest ranking in the SEC soccer preseason poll since also being selected third in 2013.

Florida was named the conference's preseason favorite for the 20^th time, while the defending SEC champions of Texas A&M were slotted second in the poll. A full rundown of the SEC preseason coaches' poll can be viewed below.

1. Florida
2. Texas A&M
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. Auburn
6. Arkansas
7. Ole Miss
8. Alabama
9. Vanderbilt
10. Missouri
11. LSU
12. Mississippi State
13. Kentucky
14. Georgia

Tennessee returns five All-SEC performers from last season's squad, including three First Team selections in junior midfielder Katie Cousins, junior defender Maya Neal and senior forward Khadija Shaw. Anna Bialczak picked up Second Team all-conference accolades last year, while Erin Gilroy was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

UT opens the 2018 regular season Thursday, Aug. 16 with a home match against the St. John's Red Storm. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Regal Soccer Stadium.

Players Mentioned

Anna Bialczak

Katie Cousins

Erin Gilroy

Maya Neal

Bunny Shaw

University of Tennessee Athletics