Softball slotted fourth in NACC Preseason Poll

WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Softball team was slotted for a fourth-place finish in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, according to the league's preseason poll, released Wednesday. The poll is voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.

The Falcons are coming off a season in which they finished fifth in the NACC regular season, but were one of the final three teams in the conference tournament in May. CUW finished 13-9 in NACC play last season, but will have to replace two First Team All-NACC selections in Mariah Giesseman and Jamie Schuh.

Aurora was is tabbed as the preseason favorite for the third straight season, collecting 19 of 24 first-place votes and 283 points in the poll. The Spartans have won the last two NACC regular season crowns, but four-time defending NACC Tournament champion Benedictine is second with the five remaining first-place votes and 263 points.

Dominican (225 points) is next followed the Falcons (218). MSOE (170) and Wisconsin Lutheran (160) come in at fifth and sixth, followed by Marian (126), Edgewood (116), Concordia Chicago (104) and Lakeland (100). Alverno (79) and Rockford (28) round out the poll.

The NACC's regular season standings determine the teams that qualify for the six-team conference tournament, while the tournament champion receives the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

The Falcons will open their season at the Finlandia Dome Tournament on February 28 and March 1. CUW will play four games over the two days. The NACC opener is set for March 28 when the Falcons visit Alverno.

2015 NACC Preseason Coaches' and SIDs' Poll
1) Aurora (19), 283
2) Benedictine (5), 263
3) Dominican, 225
4) CUW, 218
5) MSOE, 170
6) Wisconsin Lutheran, 160
7) Marian, 126
8) Edgewood, 116
9) Concordia Chicago, 104
10) Lakeland, 100
11) Alverno, 79
12) Rockford, 28