August 9, 2004

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech, entering its first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference under the direction of second-year head coach Kelly Cagle, was picked to finish ninth in the 10-team competition for the coveted ACC crown.

Defending national champion North Carolina garnered 98 points, including eight first place votes. National semifinalist Florida State was second with 83 points. Virginia received one first place vote and tallied 76 points while Clemson totaled 69 points and one first place vote for fourth.

The Cavaliers and Tigers were the only other schools to receive first place votes.

Duke was fifth with 64 points, Maryland was sixth with 47 points, Wake Forest was seventh with 46 points and N.C. State was eighth with 28 points.

Newcomers Virginia Tech and Miami were ninth and 10^th with 22 and 17 points, respectively.

The Hokies return five starters off the 2003 squad that tied the school-record for wins in a season with nine.

2004 Preseason ACC Women's Soccer Poll

    School              Points      2003 Record
1.  North Carolina (8)    98        27-0-0 (7-0-0)
2.  Florida State         83        17-8-1 (4-2-1)
3.  Virginia (1)          76        12-5-4 (3-3-1)
4.  Clemson (1)           69        11-7-2 (4-3-0)
5.  Duke                  64        14-7-1 (4-3-0)
6.  Maryland              47        11-8-2 (2-5-0)
7.  Wake Forest           46        10-7-3 (1-4-2)
8.  NC State              28        9-9-1 (1-6-0)
9.  Virginia Tech         22        9-9-0 (2-4-0)*
10. Miami                 17        9-9-1 (3-4-0)*

* denotes BIG EAST Conference record in 2003