For the first time in three years and in the league’s history, the preseason Ohio Valley Conference poll has not picked Eastern’s women’s soccer team to finish in first place. But the prediction to finish second behind Tennessee Tech is not going to stop the Panthers in their quest for a three-peat as OVC Champs.

Eastern took the regular season title with a perfect 5-0 conference record last season, but lost the tournament title to Tech in a 1-0 double overtime game. For each of the three years there has been women’s soccer in the OVC, Eastern and Tech have finished 1-2 in the league.

“The conference is very balanced and much improved,” Panther head coach Steve Ballard said. “Tech was picked to win, and that’s a challenge put forth by the college coaches. They’re going to have to rise to the occasion.”

This season, Eastern will return 16 players, eight of which were starters a year ago, including OVC Player of the Year Devon Bissell, Freshman of the Year Beth Liesen and All-OVC selections Cara LeMaster and Rebecca Traen.

“At this point in the stage, I think we’re ahead of last year,” Ballard said. “We return the nucleus of the leaders on and off the field.”

In addition to the veterans, Ballard has brought in eight newcomers to the team to fill the positions left by goalie Jeanine Frederick and midfielder Carole Griggs.

Eastern has already opened exhibition play with a 1-0 win over the University of Wisconsin-Parkside last weekend and takes the field against the University of Evansville 1 p. m. Saturday at Lakeside Field

“Evansville will be one of the top teams this season, so it will be a good test for us,” Ballard said. “It’ll be a good way for us to tell where we’re at and how we’re coming along.”

The Panthers will be carrying with them a 12-game OVC regular season win streak into 2001 after finishing with an overall 15-4-1 record a year ago. Eastern will open its regular season on Friday, Aug. 31 at Valparaiso in a season that is highlighted by a mid-September trip to Hawaii.

“Once the season starts, it’s a must-win in every game we play,” Ballard said. “With a trip to Hawaii, we have to get off to a good start. Valparaiso is a must-win.”

With the season opener approaching, the Panthers have one goal in mind: Playing in the NCAA tournament for the first time in the history of the women’s soccer program.

Leading the Panthers will be four senior captains: defenders Katie Quiter and Brooke O’Connell, midfielder Devon Bissell and forward Kristy Zabrosky.

“The four captains have been giving us great leadership along with the other three seniors,” Ballard said.

On the offensive end, Eastern will return Liesen, who posted the third highest goal total in Eastern’s history and the most goals in four years. Eight of Liesen’s goals were game-winners, which also ranks her fourth all-time.

“Liesen has an injury right now, but we’re hoping to get her back and rolling soon,” Ballard said.

Juniors Terri Manser and Cara LeMaster will be joining Liesen on the outside flanks. Bissell will be moved from the back to be a midfielder this season, which Ballard hopes will be a key for the Panthers. Senior midfielder McKenzie Smith has also shown a solid performance on the field and will add depth for Eastern.

Junior Lindsay Rogers and freshman Audra Frericks will see playing time along with mainstays Quiter, O’Connell and sophomore Rebecca Traen on the defensive end. O’Connell returns after missing most of the 2000 season with an injury.

“Brooke will be returning this season, so we’re counting on her in addition to Krysty up top,” Ballard said.

The number of versatile and talented athletes is something senior forward Kristy Zabrosky said will be key for the Panthers to have their best season yet.

“Everyone is very excited about the season,” she said. “We have good freshmen in and we’re going to have a lot of depth this year.”

Some of those freshmen will be crucial to Eastern’s success, particularly in the net. Ballard is still trying to decide between freshmen Lindsay Decherty, Lynee Goehler and Tiffany Groene to replace Frederick in the starting keeper’s spot.

“We will have quality goal keepers in there this season,” Ballard said. “It’s a battle between them. I could see all three getting playing time. There is quality there.”

Quiter is as impressed with the freshmen as her coach.

“I have confidence in their abilities and there’s a reason they’re playing at this level,” she said.

Ballard said both the offense and defense continues to show progress in these early weeks of practice.

“We’re looking to continue Eastern’s success. They must take it one game at a time and respect every team we play,” Ballard said. “We have high expectations and goals, but we have to start working from preseason day one through the conference tournament to achieve those goals.

“This conference has improved so much. No game is a given.”