ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The University of Evansville women's soccer team was picked fourth in a vote by the league's coaches, it was announced by the Missouri Valley Conference on Monday.
 
Following a second-place finish in the conference last season, the Purple Aces return six starters and 14 letterwinners from last season. UE received 40 points in the preseason poll, just three behind third-place Loyola. Illinois State was selected as the conference favorite, receiving 63 points and seven first-place votes. 
 
The Aces open the regular season on Friday against Southeast Missouri State at 7 p.m. at Arad McCutchan Stadium before wrapping-up the weekend with a home match against UT Martin on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.