ABILENE, TEXAS - Hardin-Simmons' women's soccer team begins 2005 where it finished 2004 - the seventh ranked team in the nation according to the National Soccer Coaches Association Poll that was released on Tuesday.

The Cowgirls return eight starters, including 10 of the top 11 scorers on the team from a year ago, that went 19-2-1 and advanced to the NCAA Sectional round.

"It says a lot about our program and the level of national respect to be ranked that high, but we have to prove it on the field," said sixth-year head coach Marcus Wood. "We have high goals as a team."

The No. 7 ranking is the highest ever for the Cowgirls. Wood's team will go through its first workout of the season on Thursday in preparation for its Sept. 1 season opener against the College of the Southwest.

--Chad Grubbs