WSOC: Midwestern picked fourth in LSC preseason poll

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - The Midwestern State Mustangs were picked to finish fourth in the race for the 2007 Lone Star Conference championship when league officials annoucned the annual poll on Monday.

The Mustangs, who finished with a 10-8-1 mark a season ago while advancing to the LSC semifinals, received 223 total votes among the 28 ballots that were casted by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and various medie representatives.

Central Oklahoma, which has claimed five of the last seven LSC regular season titles, logged 25 first place votes and come in as the odds-on favorite for a fourth-straight title.

The Bronchos were followed by West Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Commerce, MSU, Eastern New Mexico, Southwestern Oklahoma State, Northeastern State, Texas Woman's, East Central and newcomer Abilene Christian.

Central Oklahoma also swept the league's preseason awards as forward Lacy Williams and goalkeeper Carly Fischer came away as the preseason offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively.

The Mustangs return nine starters led by junior forward Megan Bibilone, who scored five goals in 2006, and sophomore midfielder Kari Bristow, who added five goals and six assists.

Midwestern kicks off the season at home against Central Missouri on Aug. 24.