NEW ORLEANS ? The University of South Alabama soccer team was picked to finish seventh in the Sun Belt Conference’s Coaches’ Preseason Poll on Thursday as announced by the league office.  Jag sophomore defender Sam Slover was also selected to the Preseason all-conference team, the first selection of her career.  Slover competed in 14 games for USA last season, recording two assists.

Denver, who went undefeated in conference play during the regular season a year ago and won the Sun Belt tournament in Lafayette, La., was the favorite to repeat in 2007 with 139 total votes.  The Pioneers received eight of the 12 first place votes from the coaches on Thursday and were closely followed by Middle Tennessee and North Texas who tied for second with 125 points.  The Blue Raiders captured two first place votes, while the Mean Green garnered one.  Also taking one of the votes for top honors in the league was second-year member Florida Atlantic.

Denver senior midfielder Jenna Billingsley was also selected as the Preseason Player of the Year in the conference on Thursday.  Joining both her and USA’s Slover on the 11-member all-SBC squad were fellow Pioneers Taryn Hemmings and Jessica Keller, Middle Tennessee’s Kala Morgan and Ingrid Christensen, Florida Atlantic’s Susanna Lehtinen and Janeke Simpkins, and North Texas’ Heather Hutyra, Kendell Juett and Kandice Ellis.

The Jags will hold their annual Alumni game on Saturday at “The Cage” with kick off set for 7 p.m.