Women's Soccer tabbed for NACC title in preseason poll

WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Soccer team has been picked to repeat as Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Champions, according to the 2016 Preseason Poll. The Falcons were tabbed as favorites by the leagues head coaches and sports information directors.

CUW heads into 2016 with high expectations after a 10-0 NACC season a year ago. The Falcons are hoping to not only repeat as NACC Champions, but also have a better showing in the NACC Tournament. CUW was eliminated via a shootout in the semifinals last year. The Falcons picked up 14 of 22 first-place votes and received 228 poll points.

The Falcons have plenty of reason for optimism, despite losing three First Team All-NACC performers due to graduation. CUW had a record seven players on the First Team All-NACC last year, three of those returning in 2016, including NACC Defensive Player of the Year Faith Palmreuter. NACC Freshman of the Year, Josie Dombrowski, will miss the 2016 season due to injury. Also back are First Team selections, Tabitha Ortiz and Kayla Schlosser.

The Falcons also return Brittany Klumpp to the pitch this fall. Klumpp was injured early last season, and will get another crack at her senior year this fall. She ranks fifth in the Ryan Middendorf era (2003-present) with 45 goals.

NACC Tournament champion MSOE was slotted second in the preseason poll, picking up seven of the remaining eight first-place votes for 214 poll points. Aurora, who saw its nine-year NACC title-run come to an end last season, was polled third, while Dominican added the last first-place vote and was chosen fourth.

Benedictine (147 poll points) came in fifth with Edgewood (136) at sixth. Next in line was Concordia Chicago (111), followed by Marian (102) and Wisconsin Lutheran (62). Lakeland (48) and Alverno (27) rounded out the poll.

The Falcons will begin their 2016 season next Thursday, September 1 on the road. CUW will visit UW-Oshkosh for a 7 p.m. start.

2016 NACC Preseason Poll
1. Concordia Wisconsin (14), 228
2. MSOE (7), 214
3. Aurora, 193
4. Dominican (1), 184
5. Benedictine, 147
6. Edgewood, 136
7. Concordia Chicago, 111
8. Marian, 102
9. Wisconsin Lutheran, 62
10. Lakeland, 48
11. Alverno, 27

First-place votes in parentheses
Voted by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors