KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The SBU soccer Bearcats are tabbed for a seventh-place finish, according to head coaches across the MIAA. Defending conference champs Truman State, got the nod as the preseason favorite. With a much younger team than the squad in 2009, the Bearcats dropped two spots compared to last year's poll. The Bearcats were, however, just a point back of Northwest Missouri for sixth place and three points shy of Missouri Western for fifth place.

The Bulldogs received six first-place votes and 60 points to take the top spot. Nebraska-Omaha (56 pts.) edged Central Missouri (55 pts.) for No. 2. The Mavericks received one first-place vote, while the Jennies received two. Truman and Omaha both made the NCAA South Central Regional last season.

Washburn was voted preseason No. 4 with 42 points, followed by Missouri Western at No. 5 with 31 points. Northwest Missouri was selected sixth with 29 points, Southwest Baptist was picked seventh with 28 points, Missouri Southern was voted No. 8 with 14 points, and Emporia State comes in at No. 9 with nine points.

The 2010 soccer season will begin Saturday, Aug. 28. The MIAA season officially opens up Thursday, Sept. 9. SBU opens their regular season on September 2 when they host Quincy at 4 p.m.


2010 MIAA Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Truman (6) – 60 pts.
2. Nebraska-Omaha (1) – 56 pts.
3. Central Missouri (2) – 55 pts.
4. Washburn – 42 pts.
5. Missouri Western – 31 pts.
6. Northwest Missouri – 29 pts.
7. Southwest Baptist – 28 pts.
8. Missouri Southern – 14 pts.
9. Emporia State – 9 pts.