2016 Big West Conference Preseason Poll and All-Conference Team Release
IRVINE, Calif. – The three-time defending Big West Conference Tournament champion Cal State Fullerton women's soccer team was selected to finish third in the Big West Preseason Poll, it was announced Thursday.
The Titans, which finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Big West Conference regular season race last season, received 53 total points in the poll. Long Beach State, the number-one seed in the 2015 Big West Tournament, received six first-place votes and 77 points overall to claim the top spot in the poll. UC Santa Barbara, the third of the 2015 Big West regular season tri-champions, placed second in the poll with two first-place votes and 69 points overall. CSUN received one first-place vote and tied with the Titans for third in the poll with 53 points.
Cal Poly (39 points), UC Riverside (36), UC Irvine (35), UC Davis (30) and Hawai'i (13) rounded out the poll.
The 2016 Titans return 20 letterwinners to the 2016 roster including 2015 Big West Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Jennifer Stuart, Big West Second Team selection Connie Caliz and Big West All-Freshman honorees Amanda Larsson and Jessica Simonian.
Caliz was also one of 11 players selected to the 2016 Big West Preseason All-Conference Team. She was the lone Titans player selected to the team this season. Long Beach State led all teams with three selections while UC Santa Barbara and CSUN had two apiece.
Caliz set a new career best with 12 points overall during her sophomore season in 2015 including a career best six assists in 19 matches, all starts. She played 1,580 minutes in 2015 and connected on her only penalty kick attempt last year.
Fullerton received votes in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's (NSCAA) preseason poll on August 2. The Titans are the only program to have won three straight Big West Tournament titles, a feat they accomplished for the second time in 2015. The 2016 will look to become the first squad to ever win four straight tournament titles in Big West Conference history.
The Titans will open the regular season on Aug. 19 against Saint Mary's at Titan Stadium.
2016 Big West Preseason Poll
1. Long Beach State (6) 77
2. UC Santa Barbara (2) 69
3. CSUN (1) 53
Cal State Fullerton 53
5. Cal Poly 39
6. UC Riverside 36
7. UC Irvine 35
8. UC Davis 30
9. Hawai'i 13
() First-Place Votes
2016 Big West Preseason All-Conference Team
Megan Abutin, Cal Poly, Midfielder, Senior
Amanda Ball, UC Santa Barbara, Forward, Junior
Blanca Barrio, UC Riverside, Midfielder, Senior
Connie Caliz, Cal State Fullerton, Midfielder, Junior
Ashley Gonzales, Long Beach State, Forward, Junior
Mallory Hromatko, UC Santa Barbara, Midfielder, Sophomore
Kourtney Kutscher, CSUN, Forward, Senior
Ashton McKeown, Long Beach State, Goalkeeper, Senior
Kiana Palacios, UC Irvine, Forward, Junior
Mimi Rangel, Long Beach State, Midfielder, Senior
Cynthia Sanchez, CSUN, Forward, Junior