FRESNO, Calif. - The Western Athletic Conference released the 2009 Preseason poll and the coaches picked Fresno State to finish third with 49 points. Junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Revel was named the 2009 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

The Bulldogs finished the 2008 season in second place and went on to advance to the NCAA Tournament after beating Utah State in the WAC Tournament Championship. The `Dogs return 16 letterwinners.

Returning this season are 2008 All-WAC players Revel, Kendall Van Dine and Molly Nizzoli.

After finishing with a perfect 7-0-0 WAC record during the 2008 season, Utah State was selected to finish first with 61 points.

After winning last year's WAC Tournament championship, Fresno State earned a pair of first place votes.

Joining Revel on the preseason All-WAC team was sophomore defender Danielle Solich.

Revel earned First Team All-WAC honors in both 2007 and 2008. The Fresno State keeper led the WAC in 2008 in goals against average (0.13), save percentage (.974), shutouts (6) and shutouts per game (0.86).

Solich started four games last season on the defensive line.

The Bulldogs open the 2009 season in southern California against San Diego State and Long Beach State.

2009 Coaches' Poll
Team (1st place votes) Points
1. Utah State (5) 61
2. Hawai`i (2) 53
3. Fresno State (2) 49
4. Boise State 45
5. Nevada 39
6. San Jose State 28
7. Louisiana Tech 21
8. Idaho 15
9. New Mexico State 13

2009 Preseason All-WAC Team
Ambree Ako, F, Hawai'i, Sr.
Shantel Flanary, F, Utah State, So.
Lauren Hansen, F, Utah State, Jr.
Shannon Saxton, F, Boise State, Jr.
Christen Drummond, MF, Nevada, Jr.
Mari Punzal, MF, Hawai`i, Jr.
Chandra Salmon, MF, Utah State, So.
Chelsea Deptula, D, Hawai`i, Jr.
Lindsay Smart, D, Utah State, Sr.
Danielle Solich, D, Fresno State, So.
Kaitlyn Revel, GK, Fresno State, Jr.