The returning Big 12 Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year from 2014 - Janine Beckie (Texas Tech) and Kadeisha Buchanan (West Virginia) - lead the honorees on this year’s Preseason All-Big 12 Soccer Team. The duo are two of four unanimous selections, with six schools represented on the squad.

Beckie, who led the conference in points, goals and shots last season, returns for her senior campaign. A three-time All-Big 12 First Team recipient, she was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy and garnered NSCAA All-America First Team recognition. Buchanan was a member of the Canadian National Team this past summer during the FIFA World Cup after being the only sophomore named to the NSCAA All-America First Team in 2014.

The other unanimous picks were goalkeeper Abby Smith from Texas and Ashley Lawrence of West Virginia. Smith is a unanimous choice on the preseason squad for the second straight year after posting nine shutouts in 2014, tying for the most in a season in UT history. Lawrence and her teammate Buchanan were the lone sophomores named to the All-Big 12 First Team a year ago. Lawrence started 20 matches and ranked second on the team with 15 points. WVU’s Michaela Abam gave the Mountaineers three preseason honorees, tying for the most in the conference.

Oklahoma State also had three selections, as Courtney Dike, Madison Mercado and Allie Stephenson were recognized. Stephenson was on the all-conference first team in 2014, while Dike and Mercado garnered second team accolades. Rounding out the preseason honors were Bri Campos (Baylor), Bobbi Clemmer (TCU) and Hannah Devine (Texas Tech).

The Big 12 soccer season begins on Friday, August 21 with eight of nine schools in action. Last season, eight of nine league squads had record of .500 or better as the Big 12 was rated the No. 2 conference in the nation in the RPI.

2015 Preseason All-Big 12 Soccer Team

** - Unanimous selection