Aug. 20, 2003

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - -

The Oregon State men's soccer team was picked to finish fifth in the Pacific-10 in a recent poll of conference coaches released by the Pac-10.

The Beavers received 11 points and were picked to finish ahead of Fresno State in the six-team conference. Points were awarded on the basis of five points for a first-place vote, four for a second, and so on.

Defending NCAA Champion UCLA was picked to finish first and received 24 points, while NCAA runner-up Stanford was chosen second. California was third, with 16 points, and Washington was a point ahead of OSU with 12.

Last year, the Beavers were picked fifth and finished fourth, earning a NCAA Tournament bid in the process and setting a school-record with 13 wins.

OSU opens its regular season schedule Aug. 29 at San Diego State.