MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama women’s soccer team had two players selected to the 2006 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team, announced by the conference on Monday.  Senior Tiffanie Stewart and junior Kelly Tarrant were named to the 11-player team.  

Tarrant led the Jaguars with a career-high 11 goals, seven assists and 29 points in 2005.  She was a first team all-conference selection, as well as, an all-tournament team selection.  Tarrant was named the Most Valuable Player of the Jaguar Invitational last season and tallied a team-high 50 shots with 33 on goal.

Stewart played and started in all 18 games for the Jags last season.  She helped lead the defense to its lowest goals against in a season (17) in school history.  Stewart, a co-captain this season, tallied six shots and one assist last year.

The Jaguars are picked fifth in the preseason poll, with 90 total points, behind North Texas, Denver, Florida Atlantic and Middle Tennessee, respectively.  North Texas received eight first place votes and 139 total points, Denver had two first place votes and 121 total points, followed by Florida Atlantic with two first place votes and 119 total points and Middle Tennessee with 118 points.

The Jaguars open the 2006 regular season schedule Fri., Aug. 25 at the USF Soccer Classic against Alabama A&M at 4 p.m. central time.  USA opens the home portion of the schedule, Fri., Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. against Southeastern Louisiana at The Cage.

Preseason Coaches Poll

1.  North Texas (8)  139

2.  Denver (2)  121

3.  Florida Atlantic (2)  119

4.  Middle Tennessee  118

5.  South Alabama  90

6.  Western Kentucky  84

7.  Florida International  67

8.  Louisiana-Lafayette  60

9.  Arkansas State  43

10. Louisiana-Monroe  41

11. Troy  27

12. UALR  27

First place votes in parentheses

Preseason All-SBC

Lleane Grimditch, Denver, Forward

Rebecca Rodriguez, Middle Tennessee, Forward

Heather Hutyra, North Texas, Forward

Susanna Lehtinen, Florida Atlantic, Midfielder

Taryn Hemmings, Denver, Midfielder

Kelli Lunsford, North Texas, Midfielder

Kelly Tarrant, South Alabama, Midfielder

Janeke Simpkins, Florida Atlantic, Defender

Tiffanie Stewart, South Alabama, Defender

Jenna Silverberg, Western Kentucky, Defender

Kandice Ellis, North Texas, Goalkeeper

Preseason Player of the Year

Heather Hutyra, North Texas, Forward