Aug. 28, 2007

RICHARDSON, Texas - Two-time defending American Southwest Conference champion Hardin-Simmons was picked fourth in the preseason vote of the league's coaches and sports information directors.

UT-Tyler, who has won the last two regular season titles, is eligible for the conference title for the first time and was picked as the league favorite. Schreiner was picked second and Mississippi College was picked third.

HSU and Ozarks share the fourth spot and UT-Dallas was picked sixth. The top six teams advance to the ASC Soccer Championship.

Mary Hardin-Baylor, LeTourneau, East Texas Baptist, Texas Lutheran, Howard Payne, Concordia, McMurry and Louisiana College round out the rest of the poll.

HSU returns five starters from its ASC title team last year.