ORONO – The UMaine women’s soccer team was picked to finish second in the America East conference, according to a preseason poll announced Tuesday by the conference.

The Black Bears garnered four first-place votes, same as top-ranked Boston University. Maine finished 13-6-1 in 2004, 6-3-0 in the conference, tying for the AE title. The Bears also earned a berth in the conference championship game for the second year in a row.

Scott Atherley’s Black Bears have nine returning starters coming back, including 2004 second-team All-Conference selections Heather Harthorn and Tanya Adorno.

UMaine kicks off the 2005 season with a home game against Sacred Heart University on Friday, August 26th at noon at Alumni Field.