By: Bryce Weymouth, Sports Information Assistant

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State soccer was selected to finish first in the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll, released today by the conference office. The Redhawks earned 128 points and 16 first-place votes in the annual poll that was voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.

In 2007, Southeast produced a 12-2-3 overall record, which included a 8-0-1 conference record and captured its second straight OVC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Last season, building upon their experience in the 2006 tournament versus Illinois, the Redhawks returned to postseason play against the Missouri Tigers. Playing at the Tigers' home field in Columbia, Mo., the Redhawks made history in the 43rd minute when Courtney Alexander scored the program's first goal in NCAA Tournament action on a long pass from Vanessa Hart. The goal tied the game at 1-1, though after scoreless soccer through the second period and two overtime periods, Missouri ultimately advanced in a shootout victory.

Tenth year head coach Heather Nelson returns 12 letter winners and four starters from last year's team. Among the returnees are seniors Nicole Bussman (Port Orchard, Wash./South Kitsap), Casey Kraft (St. Louis, Mo./Nernix Hall), Megan McGrath (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Carmel) and reigning OVC Freshman of the Year Ashley Runion (St. Peters, Mo./Fort Zumwalt South).

Defending OVC regular season and tournament champion Southeast Missouri was picked to win the conference crown with 128 points and 16 first-place votes. Murray State placed second with two first-place votes and 104 points. Following Murray State was Eastern Illinois and UT Martin, who tied for third place with 85 points. Morehead State (82 points - fifth), Eastern Kentucky (45 points - sixth), Jacksonville State (44 points - seventh), Austin Peay (39 votes - eighth) and Tennessee Tech (36 points - 9th) rounded out the poll.

The Redhawks kick off the 2008 campaign with an Aug. 22 non-conference contest against Saint Louis at Houck Stadium with a start time of 7 p.m.