Metro State women earn lofty ranking

The Metro State women's soccer team was ranked first in the preseason NCAA Division II poll released this week by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The Roadrunners went 24-2 last season and won the Division II national crown. Metro State starts the season Aug. 24 at West Florida.

At other soccer programs:

• The Fort Lewis men's soccer team, which went 21-2-1 last season, was ranked second in the preseason NCAA Division II poll.

• The University of Colorado women's soccer team, 14-6-4 last year, was ranked 14th in the preseason Division I poll conducted by the NSCAA.

• The University of Denver women's soccer team was picked to win the Sun Belt Conference title in a poll of league coaches.

Pioneers midfielder Jenna Billingsley (Chatfield High School) was named the Sun Belt's preseason player of the year and was selected to the preseason all-league squad with teammates Taryn Hemmings (midfielder, Greeley West High School) and Jessica Keller (defender, Ralston Valley High School).

• The Colorado College women's soccer team was picked to finish third in Conference USA.

Tigers forward Emily Beans was named the conference preseason offensive player of the year and CC defender Molly

Uyenishi was named the league's preseason top defensive player.

• Columbine High School graduate Anthony Latronica has been hired as assistant coach for the men's soccer team at the Air Force Academy after serving as an assistant at Clemson and Oregon State.

PIONEERS PICKED FIRST The DU volleyball team was picked to finish first in the Sun Belt Conference's Western Division in a poll of league coaches.

Pioneers middle blocker Kim Muller was chosen for the preseason All-Sun Belt team.

SKY SOX SPLIT Bob Keppel and Ryan Speier combined on a six- hitter as the Pacific Coast League's Colorado Springs Sky Sox beat the Las Vegas 51s 3-1 in the opener of a doubleheader Thursday.

Chin-Lung Hu drove in two runs to spark Las Vegas to a 5-3 win in the nightcap at Security Service Field.

WESTERVELT HONORED Denver Outlaws attackman Drew Westervelt has been named the rookie of the week by Major League Lacrosse after recording five goals and two assists last weekend against San Francisco.