IRVINE, Calif.--Hawai`i Hilo sophomore defender Jodi Lillie has been named to the 2019 Preseason All-PacWest Women's Soccer Team, and the Vulcans are tabbed to finish sixth in the preseason poll, announced today by the league office.

Coach Gene Okamura's team, which finished tied for second in the PacWest last season but lost 11 seniors from that squad, is slated to finish in the middle of the pack of 12 teams, according to the conference coaches. Defending champion Point Loma received all 12 first-place votes, with Concordia picked to finish second. The Eagles were the team that tied with the Vulcans last year for runner-up.

Lillie was a First-Team All-PacWest pick as a freshman. The Mililani, Hawai`i native was one of only three freshmen named to the team in 2018, helping to lead a very tough Vulcan defense to a near-postseason berth. UH Hilo's defense gave up just nine goals in 16 matches, helping them to a 10-4-2 overall record and a 7-3-1 mark in the PacWest.

Point Loma's Julia Glaser was selected as the PacWest Preseason Player of the Year and the Sea Lions' Emma Hinson is the Goalkeeper of the Year. Concordia's Isabella Angotti-Jones was named the Preseason Defender of the Year. For a complete look at the team and preseason standings, click the link below.

The Vulcans, who began practice yesterday (Aug. 19), will open their season on the road at Cal State Monterey Bay on September 7. Their first home match will be on Sept. 28 against Hawaii Pacific, to be played on campus on the old UHH baseball complex.

PACWEST ALL-PRESEASON TEAM AND POLL