JSU, UAPB picked to win SWAC women's soccer titles

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff forward Silvia Fuentes and defender Erika Forbes, also from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, were named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Soccer Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, the conference announced today. Preseason honors were voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Jackson State Lady Tigers (92 points) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lady Lions (99 points) were picked as the preseason favorites in the SWAC Eastern and Western Divisions, respectively. Jackson State, the defending conference champion, received 15 out of 20 first-place votes while Arkansas-Pine Bluff tallied 19 first-place votes.

Fuentes, a 5-5 senior from Moreno Valley, Calif., was the league's Player of the Year in 2010. She led the nation with 1.00 assists per game last season and ranked first in the SWAC in points (30), points per game (1.67) and assists (18). Fuentes was an All-SWAC First-Team selection in 2010.

Forbes, a 5-5 senior from Whitby, Ontario, was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year last season. She helped the Lady Lions to the Western Division regular-season title and was sixth in the conference in goals (7). Forbes garnered SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honors three times last season.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff posted a 4-0-0 league record and a 13-6-0 overall mark last year. Jackson State recorded a 4-0-0 conference mark and a 13-7-1 overall record in 2010 en route to the SWAC Championship.

Mississippi Valley State, the runner-up to the SWAC Championship a year ago, tallied four first-place votes in the Eastern Division and was picked to finish second with 73 points. Alabama State finished with 54 points for third followed by Alabama A&M (48 points) and Alcorn State (31 points).

Texas Southern was picked to finish second in the Western Division with 70 points. Prairie View A&M (57 points) was tabbed third followed by Grambling State (40 points) and Southern (34 points).

The 2011 SWAC Women's Soccer Championship will be held November 3-6 at the Johnny Downs Soccer Center in Alexandria, La.

By SWAC Media Relations

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