The Doane College men's soccer team is coming off a 6-10-1 overall record in 2007 and have been picked by the Great Plains Athletic Conference coaches to finish sixth this season. The Tigers had a tough run in the final games of the 2007 season and finished 3-8-1 in the GPAC, 12th in the conference. Doane returns Second Team All-GPAC performer Monday Akogwu. He set the school record for goals in a season as a freshman last year. Senior Jeff Wick returns after leading the GPAC in assists with eight. Below is the press release from the GPAC.
(release from the GPAC office)
The Hastings men, after posting a 13-4-1 record in 2007, has been selected by the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) men's soccer coaches' as the favorite for the 2008 GPAC men's soccer season.
The Bronco men, who won the GPAC last season with a 10-2 record, totaled 142 points and eleven first place votes in the poll. Northwestern, who advanced to the NAIA National Soccer Tournament, was picked second with 123 points and one first place vote. Nebraska Wesleyan totaled 116 points and garnered one first place vote.
The 2008 schedule will consist of 12 league games as once again all 13 teams will compete for the conference crown. This year the GPAC will have two automatic berths to the national tournament under direct qualification. The GPAC regular season champion receives the first automatic berth. The GPAC tournament champion will earn the second bid, unless it is the regular season champion. In that case, the tournament runner-up will advance to the tournament.
Here is the complete 2008 GPAC Men's Preseason Soccer Poll:
Place | School | Points | First Place Votes |
1. | Hastings | 142 | 11 |
2. | Northwestern | 123 | 1 |
3. | Nebraska Wesleyan | 116 | 1 |
4. | Morningside | 103 | |
5. | Sioux Falls | 94 | |
6. | Doane | 81 | |
7. | Dana | 79 | |
8. | Midland Lutheran | 77 | |
9. | Briar Cliff | 67 | |
10. | Dordt | 48 | |
11. | Dakota Wesleyan | 44 | |
12. | Concordia | 27 | |
13. | Mount Marty | 13 | |