One year after making its fifth trip to the womenÆs soccer College Cup, Portland has been voted to finish first in 2001 WCC preseason poll, as selected by the conference coaches Portland garnered 49 points to edge Santa Clara by two points for the top position in this yearÆs poll. The Pilots are coming off a stellar 18-4 season (6-1 WCC) which culminated in a trip to the NCAA semifinals. Returning defensively for Portland is WCC Defender of the Year Lauren Orlandos, a junior who will head a Pilots backfield that gave up only nine goals all of last season. On offense, WCC Co-Player of the Year junior Erin Misaki, along with junior forward Emily Patterson and Canadian star Christine Sinclair, women’s college soccer’s top incoming freshman, will be attacking opponents. Santa Clara, picked second in the poll, boasts one of the countryÆs top five recruiting classes with four Parade All-Americans added to their roster. With the addition of the talented newcomers, coupled with the senior leadership of three-time All-American Danielle Slaton and the offensive presence of WCC Co-Freshman of the Year Veronica Zepeda, the Broncos are poised for a run at the league title. Loyola Marymount and San Diego tied for third place after ending last season knotted at second in the league standings. The Lions will need to replace three-time All-WCC goalie Tracy Sharp in net but look promising on offense with the return of first team all-conference forward Shari Nishikawa. The TorerosÆ Stephanie Barnier is the WCCÆs top returning goal scorer, posting 13 goals last season. USD Head Coach John Cossaboon hopes to lead the Toreros to their third straight postseason appearance. Although the league coaches voted Saint MaryÆs to finish fifth this season, the Gaels were one of four teams challenging for first place going into the last week of play in 2000, finishing tied for second overall. Pepperdine holds the sixth spot in the poll, followed by San Francisco and Gonzaga in seventh and eighth, respectively. Preseason Poll: 1. Portland (5) 47; 2. Santa Clara (3) 45; 3. Loyola Marymount 31; San Diego 31; 5. Saint MaryÆs 29; 6. Pepperdine 19; 7. San Francisco 13; 8. Gonzaga 9.