Kansas City, Mo. — The Missouri Southern women’s soccer team has been picked to finish seventh in the 2013 MIAA preseason coaches poll.
The Lions made it to the quarterfinals of the MIAA Tournament last season before falling to Central Oklahoma. After starting the season 0-5-1, Southern rebounded to finish the season 5-5-2 while finishing seventh in the MIAA.
Central Missouri was the unanimous choice to defend its MIAA conference title, garnering 11 of the 12 first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own teams). Preseason No. 23 Central Oklahoma picked up the other first place vote as they were picked to finish second.
Northeastern State came in third, while Fort Hays State was fourth, followed by Northwest Missouri and Southwest Baptist. Southern would check in seventh, while Nebraska-Kearney, Missouri Western and Washburn finish out the top ten. Lindenwood and Emporia State round out the poll.
The Lions kick off the 2013 season on September 6 when they host 2012 NCAA Tournament qualifier Southwestern Oklahoma State at Hal Bodon Field at 7 pm.