Purple and Gold Women’s Soccer Chosen Fifth in Preseason Poll

GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference coaches have selected DC to finish fifth in the conference, after it concluded last season in the same spot. The Defiance College women's soccer team put together an outstanding 2012 campaign with a 9-6-4 (4-3-2 HCAC) record for its first winning record since 2004.  [HCAC Preseason Poll]

The nine wins were the most for the program since it joined the HCAC in 2000 and the Lady Jackets look to improve on that mark for the 2013 season. Defiance then placed seniors Karly Smith and Bibiana Parra, along with juniors Lindsay Bubnick and Chelsie Moyer on the HCAC Preseason Player to Watch List. All four of the veteran's will be looked at to lead the Purple and Gold to success in the fall. 

Smith, a native of Parma, Ohio, was the top offensive threat for the women's squad a year ago. The forward missed three games early on in the season, but still managed to knock in a team high seven goals and was tied for the lead in assists with three. Smith's numbers were solid enough to earn First-Team All-HCAC honors, along with being selected Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association Third-Team All-Ohio. This is the second time the Parma High product has made the player to watch list after being chosen in 2011 as well.

On the defensive side of the pitch, Parra was a top defender for the Purple and Gold, along with being a perfect 19-for-19 in matches started. The Indianapolis, Ind. native chipped in one score on the season, but Parra's efforts protecting the goal notched her a spot on the All-HCAC Second-Team. This is the Ben Davis High product's second-straight nomination for the HCAC Player-to-Watch list.

Bubnick posts a spot on the list for the first time, after putting together a sizzling sophomore campaign from the midfielder position. Being one of the main Lady Jackets to handle the ball on the field, the Butler High product tallied five scores for the second-highest mark on the team, along with tying for the most assists at three. Bubnick was not afraid to let it rip, as she racked up 52 shots on the season, which was 19 more than any other player. To reward her efforts, the Vandalia, Ohio native received Second-Team All-HCAC honors.

Finally, Moyer started all 19 contests at defender and rarely came off the field, as she finished second on the squad with 1,814 minutes played. This is the Tipp City, Ohio native's first time on the Preseason HCAC Player to Watch List as well. Moyer was also solid in the classroom to go along with her play on the pitch and it earned her HCAC Academic All-Conference accolades.

At the top of the poll sits the reigning HCAC tournament champion Transylvania. The Pioneers received 98 points, after they finished second in the regular season, but defeated Hanover and Earlham in the tourney to take the crown. Both of those teams followed in the poll, as the Panthers chalked up 85 points with regular-season champ Earlham gaining 68. Rose-Hulman was then chosen fourth with 65 points and DC rounds out the top-five at 57.

The Yellow Jacket women's soccer team will open the 2013 season at Winsper-Knobel Memorial Field on Friday, August 30, when it hosts Marietta in the annual Defiance Classic. The match is scheduled for a 2:00 pm start.