Hite Garners Preseason All-American Conference Nod
August 18, 2014 | Soccer
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina University sophomore women's soccer player Caitlin Hite was one of 11 players named to The American's preseason all-conference team, according to an announcement by the league office Monday afternoon.
As a freshman in 2013, Hite became the first player in program history to earn All-Conference USA First Team honors and also received NSCAA All-Central Region Second Team recognition. The Stafford, Va., native started all 21 matches and played every minute in 19 of those contests, which included five double-overtime games. Hite served as the team's left backer all season on a defense that posted six shutouts and held opponents to a 0.85 shooting percentage.
The American Athletic Conference also released its preseason coaches' poll, as the Pirates were picked to finish eighth. UCF was picked to win the league with nine of 10 possible first-place votes, followed by UConn, Memphis, South Florida, SMU, Cincinnati, Tulsa, East Carolina, Temple and Houston.
ECU returns 23 players from a year ago and opens its regular season at home against South Carolina on Friday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Preseason Coaches' Poll
Place School Points
1. UCF (9) 90
2. UConn (1) 76
3. Memphis 75
4. USF 69
5. SMU 57
6. Cincinnati 50
7. Tulsa 43
8. East Carolina 34
9. Temple 24
10. Houston 10
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Lena Petermann, UCF, So., F
Rachel Hill, UConn, UConn, So., F
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Diamond Simpson, Memphis, Jr., D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Emily Armstrong, UConn, So.
Preseason All-Conference Team
Tatiana Coleman, UCF, Sr., F*
Lena Petermann, UCF, So., F
Emily Armstrong, UConn, So., GK
Rachel Hill, UConn, So., F*
Caitlin Hite, East Carolina, So., D
Kylie Davis, Memphis, Sr., M
Valerie Sanderson, Memphis, So., F
Diamond Simpson, Memphis, Jr., D
Olivia Chance, USF, Jr., M
Demi Stokes, USF, Sr., F/M
Shelby Redman, SMU, R-Sr., F
