FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Complete CCIW Preseason Poll

Aug. 3, 2010-- The North Central College women's soccer team has been selected to finish eighth in the annual College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Coaches' Poll, released Tuesday.

Defending Champion Augustana College claims the top spot, receiving 47 points and five first place votes. Wheaton College was selected to finish second, receiving 44 points and the remaining three first place nods. Illinois Wesleyan University was third with 38 points followed by Millikin University (fourth, 26 points), Elmhurst College (fifth, 25 points) and Carthage College (sixth, 20 points). North Park University was seventh with 17 points while the Cardinals were eighth with seven points.

Voting in the preseason poll is done by the CCIW's head women's soccer coaches. Each coach votes for the seven other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (seven points for first, six for second, etc.). Coaches may not vote for their own team.

North Central returns five starters from a record-setting 2009 season where the Cardinals established new school records for wins (10) and goals scored (52), ending the season with a 10-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark in conference play. North Central opens the 2010 season on Sep. 1, hosting the Muskies of Lakeland College at 7:30 p.m. inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. The Cardinals begin CCIW action on Oct. 3, hosting Millikin University with kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m.