Sports briefs

Women’s soccer grabs preseason awards

In voting by Sun Belt coaches yesterday, the Lady Toppers were picked to finish third behind Denver and North Texas. The third-year team opens its exhibition season Friday against Memphis. Juniors Melissa Robinson and Jocelyn Roach were also picked to the all-conference team. Robinson was named to the all-conference second team last season and has been Western’s Defensive Player of the Year both seasons. Roach led the team with 31 shots last season.

Mupfudze honored

Richard Mupfudze was added as a Missouri Valley Conference all-conference honorable mention yesterday. Mupfudze, a sophomore from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, collected a team-high four assists last year and started 18 of 19 games.

Western football featured on Mountain Dew cans

For a limited time, Mountain Dew Code Red cans in Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Lebanon, Louisville and Owensboro will honor the football team’s 2002 national championship. Cans will also be given away to the first 3,000 fans at the Sept. 6 home game against West Virginia Tech.

– Keith Farne