College Women: Pac-10 coaches pick UCLA to repeat

NCAA runner-up UCLA has been tabbed as the favorite to win the Pacific-10 Conference women’s soccer title in a preseason vote of the head coaches. The Bruins received eight of 10 first-place votes, with California (1) and Washington (1) also picking up first-place support. Just six points separate the second- through fifth-place teams, as Stanford finished fourth with 72 points, narrowly edging USC (71 pts.). UCLA placed third in the Pac-10 last year, compiling a 6-2-1 league mark before beginning its incredible NCAA Tournament run. The Bruins became the first Pac-10 team to reach the College Cup since Stanford in 1993, falling to North Carolina, 2-1, in the championship game. Washington captured last year’s Pac-10 title with an 8-1 -0 league record, while California placed second (7-2-0). Last season, a record seven Pac-10 teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament: Arizona State, California, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington and Washington State. 2001 Pac-10 Preseason Poll 1. UCLA (8) 97 2. California (1) 77 3. Washington (1) 75 4. Stanford 72 5. USC 71 6. Arizona State 51 7. Washington St. 39 8. Oregon State 28 9. Arizona 21 10. Oregon 19