Vandals picked fourth in WAC women’s soccer

The Western Athletic Conference announced its preseason women’s soccer coaches poll and preseason all-WAC team Monday, and Idaho garnered fourth-place billing and three all-WAC picks, including Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

“It’s a huge improvement on where we’ve been,” Vandals head coach Pete Showler said.

It came as little surprise that junior Chelsea Small, the 2009 WAC Freshman of the Year and 2010 WAC Offensive Player of the Year, earned Preseason Offensive Player of the Year accolades. Through two seasons at Idaho, Small has been twice honored as first-team all-WAC and has netted 21 total goals, with eight assists and 10 total game-winners.

Joining Small on the preseason all-WAC team are junior midfielder Jill Flockhart and senior goalkeeper Liz Boyden.

San Jose State and Utah State tied for first in the poll, while Fresno State was third.

Vandal arrested

Authorities in Pullman, Wash., say they arrested University of Idaho receiver Robert Hatchett III for allegedly driving under the influence.

The 22-year-old junior from Compton, Calif., was pulled over early Sunday morning and failed two field sobriety tests. Police say Hatchett was initially pulled over because the taillights in his vehicle were not working.

KXLY reported that Hatchett was later released on the misdemeanor charge.