2002 PRESEASON MEN'S SOCCER POLL

Wheaton edges Millikin for favorite's role in CCIW men's soccer race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE sent 08/14/02

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois - After tying for the 2001 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin men's soccer title, the Wheaton Thunder of veteran head coach Joe Bean will be looking to win its 13th league crown in the last 15 years. The Thunder posted a mark of 5-1 in the conference and was 11-7-3 overall. According to a vote of the league coaches, that streak should grow in 2002 as Wheaton has been installed as a narrow favorite with 34 total points and four first place votes.

The closest competitor to the Thunder should be the same team that shared the CCIW title in 2002, the Big Blue from Millikin. During the first 11 years (1988-98) of men's soccer in the CCIW, Millikin won a total of just 13 league contests, posting a mark of 13-53 during that time frame. Last year the Big Blue became just the second team other that Wheaton to own the conference title in men's soccer - North Central being the other as the Cardinals won titles in 1991 and again in 1994. Millikin picked up three first place votes and 31 total points after finishing the 2001 season with an overall record of 12-4 and a league mark of 5-1.

North Park, which defeated Wheaton last fall, picked up 27 points for third place in the voting. Carthage (17), Illinois Wesleyan (16), Augustana (16) and North Central (6) rounded out the pre-season selections.

Each coach votes for the six other schools in the league that sponsor men's soccer, but is not allowed to vote for his own team.

2002 CCIW PRESEASON COACHES POLL

(First place votes in parenthesis)

34. Wheaton (4)
31. Millikin (3)
27. North Park
17. Carthage
16. Illinois Wesleyan
16. Augustana
08. North Central

2001 COLLEGE CONFERENCE OF ILLINOIS & WISCONSIN MEN'S FINAL SOCCER STANDINGS