ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western soccer team is picked fifth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll released Thursday morning.
The Griffons were behind defending champion Central Missouri (No. 1), No. 2 Central Oklahoma, No. 3 Northeastern State and No. 4 Fort Hays State. The Griffons finished sixth in the standings in 2015, going 9-8-1 overall, the program’s first winning season.
“It’s nice to see the conference coaches expect us to improve on what have been the best seasons in our program’s history the last two years,” Missouri Western head coach Chad Edwards said. “We’ve increased expectations for ourselves. We want to take that next step and even exceed where we’re at in the poll, but it’s rewarding to see that respect from the rest of the MIAA.”
Edwards has led the program to back-to-back appearances in the MIAA tournament, the program’s only postseason berths, the past two seasons. More than 30 team and individual records have fallen the past two seasons with current team members poised to break even more in 2016. The team finished second in the MIAA last season, allowing just 0.83 goals per game. 2015 MIAA Champion Central Missouri was the only team all season to score multiple goals in a game against the Griffons.
This year the team returns eight starters and 15 letter winners. Three of the returning starters were named All-MIAA a season ago, including 2015 leading scorer Bridget Blessie (third team All-MIAA). Taylor Gant and Ashlyn Powers return to the team’s back line after earning honorable mention All-MIAA distinction in 2015. Mixed in with all the returners will be nine newcomers, six of them transfers.
The Griffons begin the season Sept. 2 at the GAC-MIAA Challenge in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. After two matches there, the team will host Bemidji State in its home opener on Sept. 6.
2016 MIAA Women’s Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (11) 121
2. Central Oklahoma (1) 104
3. Northeastern State 103
4. Fort Hays State 95
5. Missouri Western 66
6. Southwest Baptist 63
7. Nebraska-Kearney 58
8. Washburn 54
9. Emporia State 51
10. Lindenwood 32
11. Missouri Southern 25
12. Northwest Missouri 20
— MWSU Athletics —