MAC coaches: UT women's soccer is best

8/22/2008
BY MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

The University of Toledo women's soccer team is the favorite to win the 2008 Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament titles, according to the league's coaches in a poll released by the conference office Wednesday.

The two-time defending MAC tourney champs return eight starters from a season ago, when UT finished 14-6-3. The Rockets set a school record with an eight-match unbeaten streak.

"We're honored by the choice and it shows that our program is well respected," said UT coach Brad Evans, whose team is receiving the top preseason honor for the first time in school history. "We have come a long way since 2001. On the other hand, there are many quality teams in the MAC and a preseason poll doesn't mean anything come November."

Bowling Green welcomes back nine starters from a 2007 squad that went 10-9-3. Last year, the Falcons finished in fourth place in the final conference standings, then advanced all the way to the MAC tournament's championship match for the fourth time in five seasons.

The Falcons tied Toledo in the tourney final, before the Rockets advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year via penalty kicks.

UT opens its season with a match at Cleveland State at

1 p.m. Sunday.

UT-UM STUDENT TICKETS: Student tickets for the UT-Michigan football game at Michigan Stadium on Oct. 11 will go on sale 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Glass Bowl. Tickets are limited and will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

Students should enter through at Gate A at the northwest corner of the stadium. UT students can purchase up to two tickets with their valid UT student ID and must be a current student. Tickets for the Michigan game are $54 and can be purchased with cash, Visa or Mastercard only.

COACHES SHOW: The UT football coaches radio show has moved to the Maumee Fricker's at 1418 Reynolds Rd.

The first show will be Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. The rest of the shows will be Mondays at 6 p.m.

HOOPS MANAGERS: The UT men's basketball program is looking to hire two student managers for the upcoming season.

If interested, please contact director of basketball operations Brad Konerman at 419-530-4796.

VOLLEYBALL HONORS: The University of Toledo women's volleyball program has been awarded the AVCA Team Academic Award after posting a 3.401 grade-point average during the 2007-08 school year.

It is the eighth straight season the Rockets have received the award.

The Rockets open their 2008 campaign on Aug. 29-30 at Ohio State's Sports Import Classic in Columbus.

TICKET MEETINGS: UT will host weekly meetings about Savage Hall ticket opportunities up until the season starts in mid-November. The next one is 8 p.m. Sept. 3 in the Savage Hall conference room.

Check UTRockets.com for the rest of the meetings' dates and times.