NACC repeat predicted for Men's Soccer in preseason poll
WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Soccer team has been predicted to defend their conference title after being voted first in the 2016 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Preseason Poll. The voting is done by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
The Falcons earned seven first-place votes and 215 total points. CUW is just one of three programs (Dominican, Aurora) to reach the NACC Tournament in each of the 11 seasons of the NACC. The coaches and sports information personnel predict a tight finish at the top of the standings this year, with four schools receiving first-place votes.
CUW is coming off a 9-1 conference record, (15-3-1 overall) finishing three points above second placed MSOE. The Falcons fell in the NACC tournament semifinal to Dominican in 2015, but look to return to the top of the NACC standings this fall.
MSOE edged out Dominican for the second spot in the as the two schools were separated by just two points. The Raiders, who defeated Dominican in the NACC title game last season, picked up six first-place votes and 203 points. The Stars captured five first-place votes and 201 poll points.
Aurora was tabbed fourth after polling 197 points and picking up the final four first-place votes. Benedictine and Marian were selected to round out the top six with 163 and 121 points, respectively.
Wisconsin Lutheran (101) was next, followed by Edgewood (97), and Concordia Chicago (80) was slotted for a ninth-place finish. Lakeland and Rockford rounded out the poll, tied with 37 points
CUW will begin its season at home next Thursday against Lawrence for a 4 p.m. non-conference match. CUW will follow that with a road trip to Lake Forest on Sunday before four straight home matches. The conference opener is set for Saturday, September 17 at Wisconsin Lutheran.
2016 NACC Preseason Poll
1. Concordia Wisconsin (7), 215
2. MSOE (6), 203
3. Dominican (5), 201
4. Aurora (4), 197
5. Benedictine, 163
6. Marian, 121
7. Wisconsin Lutheran, 101
8. Edgewood, 97
9. Concordia Chicago, 80
t10. Lakeland, 37
t10. Rockford 37
First-place votes in parentheses
Voted by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors
