Wheaton Predicted to Win Women’s Soccer Title

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Defending College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) champion Wheaton is expected to win its fifth straight women’s soccer title according to the latest pre-season women’s soccer coaches poll.

Wheaton won the poll with 49 points, including seven first place votes. The Thunder (21-3-0, 7-0-0 in 2005) advanced to the sectional round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament last season, losing 2-1 to the University of Chicago. Wheaton won the national title in 2004.

Placing second in the pre-season poll was Illinois Wesleyan (13-7-1, 5-2-0) with 41 points, including one first place vote. Augustana (15-4-1, 5-2-0) was third with 38 points, while Carthage (10-6-3, 4-2-1) was fourth with 31 points. Elmhurst (5-13-1, 3-3-1) placed fifth in the poll with 26 points, while North Park (12-7-1, 2-5-0) was sixth with 19 points.

Rounding out the poll was Millikin (6-12-0, 1-6-0) in seventh with 11 points, and North Central (7-11-0, 0-7-0) in eighth with nine points.

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 September 1.

2006 CCIW Women's Soccer Pre-season Poll