Aug. 1, 2008

RICHARDSON, Texas - West Texas A&M has been picked to finish as runners-up in the Southwest Soccer Conference as the league's annual preseason poll was released on Thursday. Midwestern State is the favorite in the Southwest Soccer Conference as the league's annual preseason poll was released on Thursday.

The Mustangs received nine of 11 first-place votes on the ballots cast by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives. MSU totaled 53 points to finish ahead of second-place West Texas A&M. WTAMU collected the other two first-place nods and finished with 46 points, while Northeastern State was third with 29, Eastern New Mexico fourth with 20 and Missouri Southern fifth with 17. MSU and WTAMU shared the SSC title last year with identical 7-1 conference records.

The Southwest Soccer Conference (SSC), formed in 2004, is an alliance of five men's soccer teams that span four states and two NCAA Division II conferences. The membership includes four Lone Star Conference teams (Eastern New Mexico, Midwestern State , Northeastern State and West Texas A&M) and one Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association team ( Missouri Southern). The schedule of games begins in late August. Each of the five SSC teams will play the other twice during the regular season, with those contests determining the conference champion.

The Buffs open 2008 play August 29, when they visit College of the Southwest.

SSC Preseason Poll: 1-Midwestern State (9 first place votes) 53, 2-West Texas A&M (2 first place votes) 46, 3-Northeastern State 29, 4-Eastern New Mexico 20, 5-Missouri Southern 17.