Tornado Women’s Soccer Tabbed Eighth in Preseason Poll

BRISTOL, Tenn. –Conference Carolinas released its women's soccer preseason rankings as voted by the coaches today. In the program's first year participating in the conference, King College has been tabbed eighth by its peers.

The Tornado finished 8-13-0 overall a season ago and excelled late in the season racing toward a spot in the NCCAA National Tournament. Led by current men's soccer head coach Louie Thorpe, the women's team earned its spot in the national tournament after being crowned regional champions following a 4-0 win over Campbellsville (Ky.). The Tornado ended the year with a sixth place finish and sent four of its players to the All Mid-East Region team and had another named a NCCAA/NSCAA honorable mention All-American.

Simon Duffy has taken over as head coach for the Tornado women's soccer team and returns two of his top offensive weapons in Morgan Shelton (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Hannah Shankle (Bristol, Va.). Shelton led the team in goals (10) followed by Shankle's nine tallies in 2010. Also returning in goal is senior keeper Abbey Kitts (Tazewell, Va.) following a 120-save season last year in 19 games played.

Belmont-Abbey topped the coaches poll this year receiving six first place votes (115 points) narrowly edging out Pfeiffer for the number one spot. King tied North Greenville in poll points (49) for the eighth spot and rank higher than Barton, Coker and Converse who round out the list in that order.

The Tornado have one exhibition match under their belts and prepare for their first regular season game on the road at Brevard on Sept. 3. They open their home and conference slate against Limestone on Sept. 10 at Parks Field.