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College soccer preview

USF MEN'S SOCCER

COACH: George Kiefer (18-15-3, third season).

2003 RECORD: 7-8-3, 4-3-2 Conference USA.

AREA TIES: Brandon Streicher, Sr., MF (Sickles); Edisson Cantor, So., MF/D (Leto).

OUTLOOK: Last year's 7-8-3 record marked the first time in eight years that the Bulls didn't post double-digit wins. USF returns seven starters from the 2003 team, which finished fifth in C-USA and lost in the opening round of the conference tournament. The C-USA preseason coaches poll tabbed USF to finish third out of 10 teams, led by junior Hunter West, who made the preseason all-conference team after leading the Bulls in scoring in each of the past two seasons. A tough schedule includes games against six teams ranked in the preseason NSCAA/adidas Top 25, including defending C-USA champ St. Louis, ranked fourth, and future Big East rival St. John's, which is ranked second.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

COACH: T. Logan Fleck (79-67-12, 10th season; 93-77-13 overall).

2003 RECORD: 8-8-2, 6-3-1 Conference USA.

AREA TIES: Tara Escribano, Sr., MF (Bloomingdale); Marisa Zarzeski, So., D (Wharton); Paulina McIntosh, Fr., D (Boca Ciega); Nataly Arcila, So., F (Gaither); Erin Dafeldecker, So., F/D (Tampa Bay Tech); Kristin Danielik, Jr., MF (Durant); Michelle Buskey, Jr., MF/F (Wharton); Ashley Quaid, So., MF (Bloomingdale); Beckie Ware, So., MF/F (King).

OUTLOOK: USF finished tied for fourth in C-USA last year, losing in the opening round of the conference tournament. The Bulls were picked 10th out of 14 teams in a preseason poll of conference coaches, with their strongest asset their defense, led by senior goalkeeper Breck Bankester. Bankester was the C-USA co-defensive player of the year last season, holding a 1.18 goals-against average while starting all 18 games. The biggest loss offensively was Rachel Thjomoe, who scored three goals as a senior last season. Junior midfielder Jenny Mulvihill, who led the Bulls with six goals last season, returns, as does twin sister Mindy, who scored twice.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

COACH: Becky Burleigh (169-39-8, 10th season; 251-62-14 overall).

2003 RECORD: 19-4-2, 6-2-1 SEC; lost to FSU 2-1 in the NCAA quarterfinal round.

AREA TIES: Stephanie Freeman, Sr., MF, (Countryside); Shana Hudson, Fr., MF/F (East Lake); Jasmine Johnson, Fr., MF/F (Countryside); Amber Presnick, So., MF, (Citrus).

OUTLOOK: Florida returns seven starters from last season, including its top two scorers - seniors Ashley Kellgren (11 goals, eight assists, 30 points) and Freeman (seven goals, six assists, 20 points). Freeman, last season's SEC player of the year, was hampered by an injury late in the season, but is primed for a big season. She is one of 25 listed on the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy watch list for player of the year. The Gators are ranked sixth by SoccerBuzz.com and No. 12 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, marking eight out of its 10 seasons being ranked in the NSCAA preseason poll. Florida opens with a home match tonight against Dayton, the first of 10 matches against teams that participated in the NCAA Tournament last season, including six of its first seven.

SCHEDULE: AUG. 27 - Dayton, 7; 29 - Florida International, 1:30; SEPT. 3-5 - Nike Carolina Classic at North Carolina, 7; 10 - at Florida State, 7; 12 - at Missouri, 1; 17 - Rutgers, 8; 19 - Cincinnati, 1:30; 24 - at Alabama, 8; 26 - at Auburn, 3. OCT. 1 - Tennessee, 7:30; 3 - Georgia, 2; 8 - at Kentucky, 7:30; 10 - at Vanderbilt, 2; 15 - Mississippi State, 7; 17 - Mississippi, 2; 22 - at Louisiana State, 8; 24 - Arkansas, 1:30; 29 - at South Carolina, 7. NOV. 4-7 - SEC tournament. Nov. 12-Dec. 5 - NCAA Tournament.

- ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times staff writer

COACH: Patrick Baker (68-41-6, sixth season; 155-107-17 overall).

2003 RECORD: 17-8-1, 4-2-1 ACC; advanced to the NCAA semifinals, losing to national runnerup UConn 2-0.

AREA TIES: Jessica Bell, Jr., D, (King); Libby Gianeskis, Fr., D, (Tarpon Springs).

OUTLOOK: FSU is coming off its most successful season in program history, reaching the College Cup, and has raised the bar of expectation to new heights. Soccer Buzz magazine has the Seminoles No. 5 in its preseason poll. Said Baker: "If we're going to do more, it's going to be by winning championships. It's going to be the regular-season championship or the ACC tournament championship or the national championship game and ultimately the national championship." The Seminoles do return nine starters and 18 of 20 letterwinners. That includes junior forward Leah Gallegos (18 goals), a candidate for the Herman Trophy as the nation's top player, senior central midfielder Camie Bybee and senior defender Katie Beal. Said Baker: "From the continuity, chemistry, understanding, knowing the expectations, knowing the level of our team, knowing the level of our opponents, they've all been in big games. They all want to get back to that."

SCHEDULE: AUG. 27 - Arizona State, 7; 29 - Southern Cal, 1. SEPT. 3 - at Miami, 7; 5 - at FAU, 1; 10 - Florida, 7; 12 - Stetson, 1; 14 - Jacksonville, 7; 17 - Clemson, 7; 19 - FIU, 1; 24 - Virginia, 7; 28 - USF, 7. OCT. - 1 - at Duke, 7; 8 - Wake Forest, 7; 10 - Virginia Tech, 1; 13 - at Maryland, 7; 17 - at NC State, noon; 22 - North Carolina, 7; 28 - UCF, 7; 31-NOV. 7 - ACC tournament. 12-DEC. 5 - NCAA Tournament.

- BRIAN LANDMAN, Times staff writer