BTN.com staff, BTN.com staff, August 13, 2014

The Big Ten Conference announced its 2014 women?s soccer preseason coaches? poll and players to watch list on Wednesday, with Penn State earning top honors among the 14 conference teams. The Nittany Lions enter the season as the conference favorites after making their 19th straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2013.

Penn State completed the 2013 campaign with a 7-4-0 conference record (15-7-1 overall), and returns eight starters for the 2014 season. The Nittany Lions have won 15 of the last 16 Big Ten women?s soccer titles.

The 2014 season officially kicks off on Friday, Aug. 22, with all 14 conference teams in action.

BIG TEN WOMEN?S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES? POLL
1. Penn State
2. Wisconsin
3. Maryland
4. Nebraska
5. Michigan
6. Ohio State
7. Illinois
T8. Iowa
T8. Rutgers
10. Indiana
11. Minnesota
12. Michigan State
13. Northwestern
14. Purdue

BIG TEN WOMEN?S SOCCER PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jannelle Flaws, Illinois, Sr., Forward
Taylore Peterson, Illinois, Jr., Midfield
Aliina Weykamp, Illinois, Jr., Defense/Midfield
Tori Keller, Indiana, Sr., Midfield
Abby Smith, Indiana, Sr., Midfield
Veronica Ellis, Indiana, So., Midfield
Melanie Pickert, Iowa, Sr., Defense
Cloe Lacasse, Iowa, Sr., Forward
Caitlin Brown, Iowa, Sr., Defense
Aubrey Baker, Maryland, Jr., Midfield
Rachelle Beanlands, Maryland, Jr., Goalkeeper
Cory Ryan, Maryland, Sr., Forward
Madisson Lewis, Michigan, So., Midfield/Forward
Nicky Waldeck, Michigan, So., Forward
Ani Sarkisian, Michigan, Fr., Midfield/Forward
Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz, Michigan State, Jr., Defense
Paige Wester, Michigan State, Sr., Forward
Megan Marsack, Michigan State, Sr., Midfield
Katie Thyken, Minnesota, Sr., Midfield
Tarah Hobbs, Minnesota, So., Goalkeeper
Josee Stiever, Minnesota, So., Midfield
Jaycie Johnson, Nebraska, So., Forward
Mayme Conroy, Nebraska, Sr., Forward
Caroline Gray, Nebraska, Sr., Midfield
Niki Sebo, Northwestern, Jr., Midfield
Margo McGinty, Northwestern, Jr., Defense/Midfield
Jackie Alyinovich, Northwestern, Sr., Defense
Nichelle Prince, Ohio State, So., Forward
Kayla Varner, Ohio State, Sr., Forward
Nikki Walts, Ohio State, Fr., Midfield
Emily Hurd, Penn State, Sr., Midfield
Mallory Weber, Penn State, Jr., Forward
Raquel Rodriguez, Penn State, Jr., Forward/Midfield
Mollie Kuramoto, Purdue, Sr., Midfield
Maddy Williams, Purdue, So., Forward
Alex Hairston, Purdue, Sr., Forward
Madison Tiernan, Rutgers, So., Midfield
Erica Skroski, Rutgers, Jr., Defense
Stef Scholz, Rutgers, Sr., Forward
Rose Lavelle, Wisconsin, So., Midfield/Forward
Cara Walls, Wisconsin, Sr., Forward
Genevieve Richard, Wisconsin, Sr., Goalkeeper