July 19, 2000

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The North Carolina women's soccer team, which won a record sixteenth national championship last year, was unanimously picked as the top team in the ACC in 2000 by the eight league coaches. The Tar Heels, who have captured the last five ACC regular-season titles and the last eleven ACC Tournament titles, received all eight first-place votes in the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll for a total of 64 points.

North Carolina was followed by the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who recorded 48 points to finish in second place. Wake Forest edged out both the Virginia Cavaliers, who finished third with 46 points, and the Clemson Tigers, who were picked to finish fourth with 44 points.

The Maryland Terrapins finished fifth in the poll with 35 points, and the Duke Blue Devils ranked sixth with 23 points. With 16 points, Florida State finished seventh in the poll, and NC State rounded out the poll with 12 points.

Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches Poll

1. North Carolina       64
2. Wake Forest          48
3. Virginia             46
4. Clemson              44
5. Maryland             35
6. Duke                 23
7. Florida State        16
8. NC State             12