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GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team was selected to finish this season eighth in the stacked Atlantic Coast Conference, as announced by the league Friday morning. The two-time defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels were the top pick by the league’s coaches and will chase their seventh-straight conference title this season.

Tech, who was slated seventh in the 2009 preseason, finished last season 16-8-0 after losing to Portland in the Sweet 16. The Hokies set numerous program firsts in 2009, while capturing their first NCAA Tournament victory and earning back-to-back bids for the first time. The team handed top-ranked North Carolina its first conference loss in nearly two years and was able to get its first road victories against nationally ranked Virginia and Wake Forest, among other notable accomplishments.

The Hokies finished last season ranked No. 12 according to the NSCAA poll, fourth in the ACC, and despite losing three starters to graduation; they welcome six newcomers to the 2010 squad as they look to compete as one of the nation’s up-and-coming programs.

Tech will begin its season Friday, August 20, at Elon at 7 p.m. and will play its home opener on Monday, August 23, as it hosts American at 5 p.m.

2010 ACC Preseason Coaches’ Poll:

School

1. North Carolina (5)

2. Boston College (4)

3. Florida State (1)

4. Virginia (1)

5. Duke

6. Maryland

7. Wake Forest

8. Virginia Tech

9. Miami

10. NC State

11. Clemson

For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_WSoccer).