The Illinois State womens soccer team edged Drake in an extremely close race as it was picked to finish first in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. Only eight votes separated the top four teams in the poll.
The Birds, who tied for the regular season title last season, received four first place votes in the poll and 55 points overall. Drake finished a close second with two first place votes and 52 votes overall. SMS was picked to finish third with 48 votes, while Creighton received 47 votes good enough for the No. 4 spot. Northern Iowa, which was picked to finish fifth, received the remaining first place vote.
Head coach Pete Kowall doesnt put a lot of stock in polls, but thinks its always nice to be recognized.
Its nice to know that other people have a lot of respect for our program, Kowall said, but you cant really rely on polls too much. Knowing what I do about how other teams have recruited and what theyve got coming back this year, our league is going to be really strong and it will be very tough to win.
Illinois State made its first appearance in the NCAA College Cup in 2003, after beating Creighton 5-4 in a shootout in the Valley Tournament final to earn the conferences automatic bid the NCAA Tournament.
Kowall returns 14 players from last years squad, which put together the best season in ISU womens soccer history. 2003 Valley Player of the Year Heather Forsyth, second team All-Valley selection Joyce Kleinheinz and senior Lauren Kahlenbeck are the captains on this years team, which will be looking to defend its conference title.
ISU wraps up exhibition play at noon on Saturday at Adelaide Street Field against AFC United of St. Charles, Ill. The Birds kick off the regular season at home on Friday, August 27 with a 4 p.m. match-up against Valparaiso.
2004 Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Illinois State (4) T1 55
2. Drake (2) T1 52
3. SMS 3 48
4. Creighton 5 47
5. UNI (1) 4 27
6. Indiana State T6 25
7. Evansville T6 22
8. Drury T6 12
First place votes in parentheses
2003 finish listed after first place votes
