2000 PRESEASON MEN'S SOCCER POLL

Wheaton is unanimous selection to win fifth straight CCIW men's soccer title

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE sent 08/14/00

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois - The Wheaton Crusaders have won 10 out of a possible 12 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin men's soccer championships since the league began sponsoring the sport in 1988. According to a vote of the league coaches, that streak should move to 11 of the last 13 by the time the 2000 season is over.

Veteran head coach Joe Bean's squad was 19-3-2 overall and a perfect 6-0 in the CCIW in 1999. The annual CCIW pre-season coaches poll showed the Crusaders garnering six first place votes and a total of 36 points which is the maximum number available.

Augustana, which set a school record with a 16-4 record last year, picked up 29 points and the remaining first place vote. Carthage (25 points) was third with Millikin (21) in fourth. North Central, who in 1994 was the last team other than Wheaton to win the conference title, was fourth with 14 points. North Park was fifth with 12 points and Illinois Wesleyan was sixth with 10.

Each coach votes for the seven other schools in the league but is not allowed to vote for his or her own team.

2000 CCIW PRESEASON COACHES POLL

(First place votes in parenthesis)

36. Wheaton (6)
29. Augustana (1)
25. Carthage
21. Millikin
14. North Central
12. North Park
10. Illinois Wesleyan

1999 COLLEGE CONFERENCE OF ILLINOIS & WISCONSIN MEN'S SOCCER FINAL STANDINGS