Clayton State picked second in Peach Belt preseason women’s soccer poll
Defending conference champion Lakers receive 74 points and two first-place votes

MORROW, Ga. — AUGUST 11, 2006 — The Peach Belt Conference released its 2006 preseason poll for women’s soccer on Thursday, and the Clayton State Lakers were picked second 10-team poll. The defending Peach Belt regular season and tournament champion Lakers received 74 points and two first-place votes, finishing behind Columbus State, which had eight first-place votes and 80 points.

Armstrong Atlantic was picked third with 62 points, followed by UNC-Pembroke (54) and USC-Upstate (41) to round out the top five. Rounding out the poll included Lander in sixth (40), followed by Georgia College (38), North Georgia (28), USC-Aiken (21) and Peach Belt newcomer Georgia Southwestern (nine).

Clayton State is gearing up for another banner season in 2006 following the program’s best season in 2005. Head coach T.O. Totty’s Lakers are coming off a 15-3-2 campaign in which they won both the PBC regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the second straight season.

The Lakers return 10 of 11 starters, headlined by two-time All-American and PBC Player of the Year Olaitan Yusuf. She led the Peach Belt in scoring last season with 21 goals. Also returning are All-Region forward Nkese Udoh, All-Region defender Antionette Anouga and All-Peach Belt midfielder Jennifer Powell. The biggest hole to fill this season will be at goalkeeper with the graduation of All-Region performer Judith Chime.

Clayton State opens the 2006 season on Aug. 26 at Wingate.