Four Oklahoma State standouts lead a group of 12 student-athletes on the 2011 Preseason All-Big 12 soccer team as selected by the league’s head coaches. Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech each placed a pair of players on the squad, while Missouri and Oklahoma both had one honoree.
OSU goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, defender Melinda Mercado and forward Krista Lopez along with Texas Tech forward Jessica Fuston were all chosen to the team unanimously. All three Cowgirls earned All-Big 12 First Team recognition last season, while helping OSU to a 20-4-2 overall mark. Mercado also garnered the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award in 2010. Fuston was an All-Big 12 Second Team honoree and the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year for the Red Raiders last season.
In total, six members of the 2010 All-Big 12 First Team were honored on this season’s preseason squad including forward Kyndall Treadwell (Oklahoma State), defender Rachel Lenz (Texas A&M) and midfielder Merritt Mathias (Texas A&M), as well as the three Oklahoma State unanimous selections.
The 2011 Big 12 preseason soccer poll will be announced on Friday, Aug. 12. The Big 12 soccer season begins on Friday, Aug. 19, with each league team opening its 2011 campaign.
2011 PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 SOCCER TEAM
| Pos. |
Athlete |
School |
Year |
Hometown |
| GK |
Adrianna Franch* |
Oklahoma State |
Jr. |
Salina, Kan. |
| D |
Dominique Richardson |
Missouri |
So. |
Fullerton, Calif. |
| D |
Melinda Mercado* |
Oklahoma State |
Sr. |
Sapulpa, Okla. |
| D |
Nina Frausing Pedersen |
Texas |
So. |
Silkenborg, Denmark |
| D |
Rachel Lenz |
Texas A&M |
So. |
Round Rock, Texas |
| MF |
Kylie Doniak |
Texas |
Sr. |
Chino Hills, Calif. |
| MF |
Merritt Mathias |
Texas A&M |
Sr. |
Birmingham, Ala. |
| MF |
Taylor Lytle |
Texas Tech |
Sr. |
Las Cruces, N.M. |
| F |
Caitlin Mooney |
Oklahoma |
Jr. |
Edmond, Okla. |
| F |
Krista Lopez* |
Oklahoma State |
Sr. |
Carrollton, Texas |
| F |
Kyndall Treadwell |
Oklahoma State |
Sr. |
Cleveland, Okla. |
| F |
Jessica Fuston* |
Texas Tech |
So. |
Cedar Park, Texas |
*Unanimous selection (coaches cannot vote for own player; received votes from eight remaining coaches)
**Ties in voting resulted in a 12-member team.