Women's Hockey selected eighth in NCHA Coaches' Preseason Poll

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Concordia University Wisconsin's women's hockey team was selected to finish in a tie for eighth place in a vote by the head coaches of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association, the league office announced Wednesday morning.

The league coaches believe the finish will be the closest ever, as four teams received at least one first-place vote. Coaches predicted UW-River Falls will repeat as champions after receiving six first-place votes and 190 points. The Falcons have advanced to the NCAA Tournament four straight seasons.

UW-Superior was chosen to finish second after receiving three first-place votes and 162 points, while Adrian College and St. Scholastica each had one first-place vote and selected to finish third and fourth, respectively.

Last season the final seeding for seven of the eight playoff teams came down to the final game and just six points separated six of those teams.

CUW earned 62 points and was chosen to finish in a tie for eighth place overall. A year ago, the Falcons finished ninth in the NCHA standings with a 5-13-2 record and ended the season with a 7-15-3 overall record.

Each team in the conference will begin their 2012-13 campaigns this weekend. CUW hosts Concordia College Moorhead on Friday at 7 p.m. prior to hosting St. Mary's University on Saturday at 4 p.m.

2012-13 NCHA Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. UW-River Falls, (6) 190
2. UW-Superior, (3) 162
3. Adrian College, (1) 150
4. College of St. Scholastica, (1) 134
5. Lake Forest College, 112
6. St. Norbert College, 106
7. UW-Stevens Point, 98
t8. Concordia University Wisconsin, 62
t8. UW-Eau Claire, 62
10. Marian University, 28
11. Finlandia University, 12