Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Valparaiso's men's soccer team has been picked to finish in fifth place in the Mid-Continent Conference in 2004 according to the preseason poll selected by the league's head coaches.

Head coach Mis' Mrak's squad finished 2-13-2 overall and 1-5 in Mid-Con play last season finishing sixth overall. The Crusaders' 14 points in the poll edged out IUPUI in the rankings with Centenary picked seventh. Oakland, last season's regular season champion was picked to repeat in 2004, followed by UMKC. Western Illinois was selected third and Oral Roberts fourth.

First place votes earned six points in the poll on a scale that saw one point issued for a sixth place pick. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Valparaiso opens the 2004 regular season at Eastgate Field on Wednesday, September 1 at 5 p.m. against Oregon State.

2004 Mid-Continent Conference Preseason Poll
Team Points
1. Oakland (5) - 35
2. UMKC (2) - 30
3. Western Illinois - 25
4. Oral Roberts - 23
5. Valparaiso - 14
6. IUPUI - 13
7. Centenary - 7
(First place votes in parentheses)