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GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Virginia Tech women’s soccer squad has been selected to finish eighth in the grueling Atlantic Coast Conference by the 11 conference coaches in a preseason poll, announced by the conference office Friday morning.

Tech was recently ranked No. 22 in the 2012 NSCAA preseason poll. The ACC saw a total of seven teams listed among the top 15 – Duke (2), Wake Forest (3), Florida State (4), Virginia (7), North Carolina (8), Boston College (11) and Maryland (13).

The Hokies return eight starters from the 2011 squad that went 14-8-1 (4-5-1 ACC), advanced all the way to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and finished 22^nd in the NSCAA poll. Seven freshmen, including the 2011 NSCAA High School National Player of the Year, Ashley Meier, will join Tech in its quest to its fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Tech opens its season next Friday, Aug. 17 as it hosts the Hilton Garden Inn Hokie Invitational and will take the field for the second match at 7:30 p.m. against UNC Wilmington.

The 2012 ACC Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll, with first-place votes in parenthesis:

School Points 2011 Record

1. Duke (10).................. 119...... 22-4-1 (8-1-1)

2. Wake Forest ............... 99...... 18-4-4 (5-2-3)

3. Florida State (1)........... 94...... 18-7-1 (5-5-0)

4. North Carolina ............ 92...... 13-5-2 (6-3-1)

5. Virginia........................ 89...... 17-5-2 (7-2-1)

6. Boston College............ 66...... 12-6-3 (6-4-0)

7. Maryland..................... 51...... 12-6-4 (4-4-2)

8. Virginia Tech............... 46...... 14-8-1 (4-5-1)

9. Miami.......................... 33...... 10-8-1 (3-6-1)

10. NC State...................... 21...... 10-8-2 (1-7-2)

11. Clemson..................... 16.... 6-12-0 (0-10-0)

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