Hannah Chua

Western Kentucky junior midfielder Hannah Chua has been selected to the 2016 Preseason All-Conference USA team as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon, and WKU has been tabbed to finish eighth in the conference by the league’s coaches.

Chua, a native of Claremont, Calif., was a Second Team All-C-USA selection following her breakout sophomore campaign in 2015 that saw her score five goals and tally 11 points, both the second-best marks among the Lady Toppers. Of Chua’s five goals, two were match-winners, including a double-overtime golden goal against Mercer and a late goal against Memphis that secured the program’s first victory over the Tigers.

“We are excited for Hannah. She had a breakout sophomore season and she, along with an incredible midfield cast, should be fun to watch in their attacking roles this season,” head coach Jason Neidell stated in a news release announcing her selection.

In a vote by the league’s coaches, WKU was tabbed to finish eighth in the conference, matching its finish from 2015. North Texas, the reigning C-USA champion, was selected to repeat as title winners, while Rice and Florida Atlantic rounded out the top three.

“Our players have a great attitude and feel confident and strong about the upcoming season. What I love about preseason polls is the motivation that it can give your team,” Neidell stated. “What ultimately matters to us is where we actually finish the season, and we are excited to take the field and compete.”

The Lady Toppers are set to open their 2016 season with an exhibition against Northern Kentucky on Aug. 12, at at the WKU Soccer Complex. WKU will kick off the regular season with its first three matches on the road before returning home against Austin Peay on Sept. 2.