Valparaiso University has been predicted to finish in sixth place in the league’s 2009 preseason women’s soccer poll according to the voting done by the other conference head coaches.

Second year head coach John Marovich returns 12 letterwinners, including eight starters from last year’s 10-6-3 season.

The Crusaders tallied 25 points in the preseason poll to place sixth, one vote more than Green Bay and three ahead of Cleveland State.

Milwaukee was picked to win the league crown followed by Loyola and Wright State.  Butler and Detroit were tabbed fourth and fifth respectively while Youngstown State rounded out the poll.

The voting, done by the league’s head coaches, awarded eight points for a first place vote through one point for an eighth place vote.  Coaches could not vote for their own team.

Valparaiso will open the 2009 regular season on Friday, August 21, as the Crusaders head to Morehead, Ky. to face Morehead State.  Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CDT.