PULLMAN, Wash. – After ending the 2017 season ranked in the top-25, the Washington State soccer team has picked up where it left off as the Cougars enter the 2018 season ranked No. 21 in the country as announced by the United Soccer Coaches (USC) poll.
The Cougars' top-25 ranking marks the first time since the 2010 season, when they were also ranked No. 21 in the preseason poll, WSU has entered the season ranked. Prior to last season's final ranking, the Cougars flirted with the top-25 throughout the year, receiving votes multiple times.
A total of four Pac-12 teams picked up preseason rankings in the USC poll with Stanford coming in as the near unanimous No. 1 pick while UCLA was No. 2 and USC was No. 12. Three other Pac-12 schools received votes in the initial poll as well. In addition to the No. 1 ranking, Stanford was also picked to win the Pac-12 as announced in the conference's preseason coaches' poll that came out Tuesday. The Cougars were picked seventh.
Last season, the Cougars made program history with a run to the NCAA Tournament Third Round. In addition, last season's squad came up with 11 shutouts, the second-most in program history, with five coming against top-25 opponents. Overall, the Cougars return 18 letter winners including nine starters and 93% of their scoring.
WSU kicks off the new year at home on Aug. 17 when the Cougars host Seattle University at Lower Soccer Field. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. live on the Pac-12 Network.
The Cougars' top-25 ranking marks the first time since the 2010 season, when they were also ranked No. 21 in the preseason poll, WSU has entered the season ranked. Prior to last season's final ranking, the Cougars flirted with the top-25 throughout the year, receiving votes multiple times.
A total of four Pac-12 teams picked up preseason rankings in the USC poll with Stanford coming in as the near unanimous No. 1 pick while UCLA was No. 2 and USC was No. 12. Three other Pac-12 schools received votes in the initial poll as well. In addition to the No. 1 ranking, Stanford was also picked to win the Pac-12 as announced in the conference's preseason coaches' poll that came out Tuesday. The Cougars were picked seventh.
Last season, the Cougars made program history with a run to the NCAA Tournament Third Round. In addition, last season's squad came up with 11 shutouts, the second-most in program history, with five coming against top-25 opponents. Overall, the Cougars return 18 letter winners including nine starters and 93% of their scoring.
WSU kicks off the new year at home on Aug. 17 when the Cougars host Seattle University at Lower Soccer Field. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. live on the Pac-12 Network.