Defending National Champion Wheaton Predicted to Win CCIW Women’s Soccer Title

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – After winning two national titles in the last three seasons, the Wheaton women’s soccer team returns a talented squad that the head coaches in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) predicted to win the conference title in 2007.

In the latest coaches poll released by the CCIW office Thursday, the Thunder earned all 49 points with seven first place votes to take the top spot. Wheaton finished 24-2-0 last season (6-1-0 in the CCIW) and defeated The College of New Jersey 2-0 in the national championship on Nov. 25, 2006.

Augustana was second in the coaches poll with 41 points and one first place vote, while Illinois Wesleyan was third with 35 points. Carthage finished fourth with 33 points, while Elmhurst was fifth with 25. North Park (16), Millikin (15) and North Central (11) rounded out the poll.

Voting for the pre-season poll is done by the women’s soccer coaches in the CCIW. Each coach votes for the seven other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (seven points for first, six for second, etc.). Coaches may not vote for their own team.

The CCIW women’s soccer season begins August 31.

2007 CCIW Women's Soccer Pre-season Poll