SAN FRANCISCO - Coming off one of their most successful seasons in program history, the Washington State soccer team caught the attention of the coaches in the Pac-12 Conference as the Cougars were picked to finish fourth in the preseason coaches poll as announced by the conference office Tuesday morning. The fourth place pick marks the highest preseason ranking for the Cougars in the preseason poll. Stanford, the four-time defending conference champions, were picked to take the title for a record fifth-consecutive season after receiving seven first-place votes. UCLA came in just behind the Cardinal in the poll after picking up the remaining five first-place votes.

The Cougars enter the 2019 season with a deep roster filled with veteran players. At the top, senior captain Morgan Weaver begins her final season on the Palouse chasing records after producing a career year in 2018 with 13 goals and four assists and a first team all-region award. The star forward was named to the watch list for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy, the most prestigious award in collegiate soccer. In addition to Weaver, the Cougars bolstered their defense with the return of sixth-year goalkeeper Ella Dederick. The Cougars' captain in goal was 5-0 in net to begin 2018 before a season-ending knee injury forced her to the sideline. Dederick enters her final year at WSU with 37 wins, eight wins shy of the Cougars' all-time record of 44 victories held by all-time great, Gurveen Clair. 

Two to three deep at every position, the Cougars will look to build on their recent success under head coach Todd Shulenberger as WSU has won its opening contest in the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons including a run to the round of 16 for the first time in program history in 2017.  Last season the Cougars earned a home game to begin the tournament on the strength of a 12-win regular season that included a record 10-0 start and a program-best No. 7 national ranking.

WSU begins the regular season on the road, Aug. 22, at Seattle while beginning their home slate of contests Aug. 30 against Montana at Lower Soccer Field. The Cougars defeated the Griz twice in 2018 including a 5-1 win in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.  The Cougs will get a chance to get on the pitch against a live opponent Friday, Aug. 16 at San Diego State in an exhibition matchup against the Aztecs.

2019 Pac-12 Women's Soccer Coaches Poll
Rank    School (First place votes)    Points
1.         Stanford (7)                              117
2.         UCLA (5)                                  113
3.         USC                                         102
4.         Washington State                     88
5.         Colorado                                  77
6.         California                                  66
7.         Arizona                                     58
8.         Utah                                          48
9.         Arizona State                            43
10.       Washington                               36
11.       Oregon                                      32
12.       Oregon State                            12