Marshall University’s midfielder Kelly Culicerto has earned a spot on the 2015 Preseason All-Conference USA Women’s Soccer Team, the league announced earlier this week.

The annual list recognizes the conference’s top-12 players, including the Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. As a team, the Thundering Herd was picked fifth in the 14-team Preseason Poll as selected by C-USA coaches.

“Preseason accolades help add to the enthusiasm we all have for the upcoming season,” Herd coach Kevin Long said in a press release. “I am very proud that Kelly has made the preseason all-conference team. She has established herself as a very competitive player in the conference, and as a senior, I know she is looking to continue pushing forward throughout her final year.”

Culicerto returns as the Herd’s leading scorer from 2014, scoring eight goals and contributing one assist for 17 points. She earned 2014 All-C-USA first team honors and was selected to the NSCAA Women’s All-Central Region second team.

The Herd is looking to build on a 7-7-5 season that ended in the 2014 C-USA Tournament first round at the hands of regular-season champion and No. 1 seed North Texas.

“The poll is flattering in placing us at fifth among some very good C-USA opponents,” Long said. “While this is the highest we have ever registered preseason, we know that it’s the end-of-season rankings that matter the most.”

Marshall’s 2015 schedule begins Aug. 15 with an exhibition match at Virginia Tech.