SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock University women’s soccer team has been picked to finish second in the PSAC by the league’s preseason coaches poll.

SRU, ranked No. 17 nationally, received seven of the 17 first-place votes. Fourth-ranked West Chester, picked to win the league, received nine first-place votes.

Noreen Herlihy returns for her 19th season as Rock coach. She has guided the team to 17 consecutive winning seasons. Butler County products Crysta Ganter (Mars) and Natalie DeFrancisis are among numerous returnees to the squad. - See more at: http://beedit.sx.atl.publicus.com/article/20130823/SPORTS03/708239884&NoCache=1#sthash.SunqHPPP.dpuf

Braun admits taking PEDs during 2011A month after acknowledging only that he made “mistakes,” Ryan Braun admitted taking performance-enhancing drugs during his NL MVP season of 2011.The suspended Milwaukee slugger said he took a cream and a lozenge containing banned substances while rehabilitating an injury.“It was a huge mistake for which I am deeply ashamed and I compounded the situation by not admitting my mistakes immediately,” Braun said in a statement released by the Brewers.Braun tested positive for elevated testosterone in October 2011, but his 50-game suspension was overturned when an arbitrator ruled that the urine sample was mishandled.

Braves' Heyward has jaw surgeryATLANTA — Braves outfielder Jason Heyward had surgery Thursday on his broken right jaw after he was struck by a pitch.The team has not said how long he will be out, but he could miss the rest of the regular season. Atlanta has a commanding lead in the NL East and hopes Heyward will recover in time for the playoffs.

Hernandez indicted on murder chargesATTLEBORO, Mass. — Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was indicted Thursday on first-degree murder and weapons charges in the death of a friend whose bullet-riddled body was found in an industrial park about a mile from the ex-player's home.The six-count grand jury indictment charges Hernandez with killing 27-year-old Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional football player from Boston who was dating the sister of Hernandez's girlfriend.

WVU grad Smith starting for JetsFLORHAM PARK, N.J. — It's Geno Smith's turn to try to prove he should be the New York Jets' quarterback this season.The rookie second-round draft pick will start over Mark Sanchez in the Jets' preseason game against the Giants on Saturday night.

Stadler shoots 64 at soggy BarclaysJERSEY CITY, N.J. — It took Kevin Stadler nearly 11 hours to open with a 7-under 64 at Liberty National. And he's not even guaranteed to be the first-round leader at The Barclays.Two rain delays that lasted a total of six hours put a damper on the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs.Stadler teed off just after breakfast and finished his round right before dinner. Only half the field finished.