IRVING, Texas – Oklahoma State was picked to finish third in the 2014 Big 12 Conference soccer standings in a vote of the league’s head coaches, it was announced today.

Two-time defending conference champion West Virginia was the unanimous pick to once again claim the title, while Texas Tech was second. The Mountaineers received eight first-place votes, while Oklahoma State tallied one; coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Coach Colin Carmichael’s Cowgirls return 10 starters to the pitch in 2014 off a team that finished 9-7-6 and seventh in the league a year ago. OSU also made its seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in the last eight years in 2013.

OSU travels to Dallas Saturday for an exhibition match at SMU before opening the season Aug. 22 against Bedlam-rival Oklahoma in a non-conference showdown in Norman.

2014 Big 12 Soccer Preseason Poll

Points

1. West Virginia (8)*                 64

2. Texas Tech                         56

3. Oklahoma State (1)                49

4. Baylor                                 40

5. Texas                                  39

6. Kansas                                25

7. TCU                                    21

8. Iowa State                           16

9. Oklahoma                             14

* - Unanimous Selection

Note: First place votes in parentheses; Coaches not allowed to vote for own team.