NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Wheaton was predicted to defend its 2011 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s soccer title according to a preseason poll announced Wednesday. 

The Thunder won the poll with 49 points including seven first place votes after recapturing the conference title last season. It was their first since 2007, which concluded a 13-year regular season title run.

Augustana and Illinois Wesleyan finished tied for second in the poll with 40 points apiece with the Vikings receiving a first place vote.

All three teams earned an NCAA tournament bid last season as Illinois Wesleyan was the CCIW’s automatic qualifier. The Titans advanced on penalty kicks against Wheaton in last season’s conference tournament title game. It was their first tournament title in school history.

Elmhurst finished fourth with 28 points, followed by Millikin (21), North Park (17), Carthage (15) and North Central (14).

Voting is done by the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin's head women’s soccer coaches. 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 teams.

2011 CCIW Women's Soccer Poll 

Rank	Team	Points	First Place Votes
1	Wheaton	49	7
T2	Augustana	40	1
T2	Illinois Wesleyan	40
4	Elmhurst	28
5	Millikin	21
6	North Park	17
7	Carthage	15
8	North Central	14