ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The MIAA has released the 2015 Preseason Coaches Poll for Women’s Soccer and it looks a lot like the final 2014 standings, including Missouri Western’s position. The Griffons have been picked sixth, the same spot they finished a season ago. That 2014 team broke more than 20 team and individual records, including most wins in a season (9).

Eight starters and 14 letter winners return from the 2014 team that qualified for the MIAA Tournament, a first for the program. Key returners include second team All-MIAA selections Sarah Lyle (GK) and Taylor Gant (D); third team All-MIAA pick Sydney Andrews (D) and honorable mention defender Paige Phipps. Even with all that returning experience, the team is still relatively young with five seniors on a roster of 22.

Head coach Chad Edwards became the program’s all-time wins leader in 2014, his fourth season with the program. Edwards is pleased to see the team garnered expectations to at least match last season’s success but wants to see his team take the next step.

“It’s nice to look back and see that we had that success, but it’s not good enough. We have to continue to get better,” Edwards said. “We’re going to have to execute that much better. We’re going to have to show up every game and we’re going to have to score more goals.”

The Griffons open their season Sept. 4 when they host three other teams in the MIAA/GAC Challenge.

2015 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (11) – 121
2. Southwest Baptist (1) – 104
3. Central Oklahoma – 103
4. Fort Hays State – 95
5. Lindenwood – 71
6. Missouri Western – 70
7. Northeastern State – 63
8. Emporia State – 56
9. Northwest Missouri – 36
10. Nebraska-Kearney – 30
11. Missouri Southern – 28
12 . Washburn – 15

— MWSU Athletics —