NEW ORLEANS – In the Sun Belt Conference's women's soccer preseason coaches' poll released on Thursday, Texas State was picked to finish fourth in the 11-team league.
 
"To be picked fourth speaks very well of our program, foundation and the respect from the conference coaches because they know we lost a great crew," said head coach Kat Conner.
 
The Bobcats are coming off a 9-7-3 season and tied for fourth in the conference standings with a 5-4-1 mark. This year's team features 18 returners and 10 newcomers while having to replace four key starters.
 
In the preseason poll, TXST garnered 84 points and was edged out for third by a two-point margin by Arkansas State. South Alabama led the way with 119 points and nine first-place selections. Troy followed with 97 points and one first-place selection while the Red Wolves picked up the final first-place vote.
 
Both Coastal Carolina and Louisiana totaled 74 points to tie for fifth. Georgia State ended up seventh with 66 points and Georgia Southern was eighth after garnering 43 points.
 
Rounding out the poll was Little Rock (40 pts), Appalachian State (27 pts) and ULM (16 pts).
 
Texas State kicks off the season on Friday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. against Stephen F. Austin. The match will be the Bobcats' fifth annual Teal Match.
 
2020 Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. South Alabama (9) – 119 pts
2. Troy (1) – 97 pts
3. Arkansas State (1) – 86 pts
4. Texas State – 84 pts
T-5. Coastal Carolina – 74 pts
T-5. Louisiana – 74 pts
7. Georgia State – 66 pts
8. Georgia Southern – 43 pts
9. Little Rock – 40 pts
10. Appalachian State – 27 pts
11. ULM – 16 pts
 
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