The Doane women's soccer team, looking to build off of a 9-8-1 record (7-4-1 GPAC) in 2009, was picked by the conference coaches to finish fourth this year after the release of the preseason poll. The Tigers tied for fifth last year and lost to Dordt in the First Round of the GPAC Tournament. Doane will return a strong core of players from last year, including the majority of the starting line-up.
Dakota Wesleyan, the defending regular season and post-season champs, was picked to reclaim the title, receiving seven first-place votes. Midland Lutheran received four first-place votes and was picked second overall. Hastings received the final first place vote and was picked third in the poll. Eight points separate the three teams in the poll.
Doane's first test is against the defending champs, opening conference play at Dakota Wesleyan on September 18. The following game is the conference home opener against Midland Lutheran. Both teams qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 2009.
Below is the release from the GPAC Office.
(GPAC Release) The Dakota Wesleyan women, after posting a 18-1-4 record in 2009, has been selected by the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) women's soccer coaches' as the favorite for the 2010 GPAC women's soccer season.
The Tiger women, who advanced to the NAIA National Soccer Tournament Opening Round, totaled 113 points and seven first place votes in the poll. Midland Lutheran College garnered 109 points and four first place votes and were picked second in the conference. The Warrior women also played in the NAIA Opening Round last fall. Hastings totaled 105 points and claimed the other first place vote.
The 2010 schedule will consist of 11 league games as all 12 teams will compete for the conference crown. This year the GPAC will have one automatic berth to the national tournament under direct qualification. The GPAC tournament champion will advance to the tournament.
Here is the complete 2010 GPAC Women's Preseason Soccer Poll:
Place | School | Points | First Place Votes |
1. | Dakota Wesleyan | 113 | 7 |
2. | Midland Lutheran | 109 | 4 |
3. | Hastings | 105 | 1 |
4. | Doane | 85 | |
5. | Dordt | 83 | |
6. | Sioux Falls | 72 | |
7. | Concordia | 57 | |
8. | Morningside | 50 | |
9. | Briar Cliff | 43 | |
10. | Nebraska Wesleyan | 37 | |
11. | Northwestern | 26 | |
12. | Mount Marty | 12 | |