Mavericks Favored In Soccer Coaches' Poll
Aug 19, 2003 | Women's Soccer
The University of Nebraska at Omaha Maverick women's soccer team has been picked by league coaches as the favorite to win the North Central Conference soccer championship in the NCC Pre-Season Coaches Poll released today.
Nebraska-Omaha garnered seven first-place votes with North Dakota gaining the remaining top vote.
Last season, UNO raced through the NCC schedule with a perfect 8-0 mark. The Mavericks then won the NCC tournament with a 5-2 win over Minnesota State in the finals. UNO had reached the championship with a 3-0 win over North Dakota while MSU handed Northern Colorado a 2-1 loss in the semifinals.
Nebraska-Omaha took their undefeated overall record into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Mavericks reeled off wins against Truman State, Northern Kentucky and Franklin Pierce to reach the national finals. In the national championship game the Mavericks came up just short, 2-1, against Christian Brothers and finished the season with a 22-1 mark. Northern Colorado also reached the NCAA playoffs, falling in the first round to Truman State.
Teams begin play on the weekend of August 29.
What the Coaches Are Saying
"This should be an extremely close race and every school had a great recruiting class and the standard of excellence has been set by UNO."
Chris Miskec, Minnesota State, Mankato
"I am pleased that the NCC is finally recognized as a premier soccer conference in nationally similar to football, basketball, volleyball, etc. I look forward to a competitive, close race with all teams in the hunt for the conference title."
Don Klosterman, Nebraska-Omaha
"UNO is obviously the frontrunner, but 2 through 8 will be a real dogfight."
Lang Wedemeyer, South Dakota State
"It should be another exciting race in the conference. We are looking forward to some great match-ups!"
Stephanie McGuinness, St. Cloud State
"This is going to be another competitive year for the NCC and a great race for the top bids."
Jessica Maddox, South Dakota
"Again, we look forward to facing high-quality players and teams in the NCC. We have a great league! Augustana is excited about the opportunities and challenges of the NCC schedule."
Steve Burkhalter, Augustana
"What an exciting conference, there are quality teams top to bottom. You need to be ready every weekend for a battle."
Matt Granstrand, North Dakota
2003 North Central Conference
Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
Nebraska-Omaha 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 62
Minnesota State 0 5 2 0 1 0 0 0 51
North Dakota 1 0 3 1 2 1 0 0 42
South Dakota State 0 2 1 2 0 2 1 0 38
North Dakota State 0 0 0 3 4 1 0 0 34
South Dakota 0 1 0 2 0 3 2 0 30
St. Cloud State 0 0 1 0 1 0 5 1 21
Augustana 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 10
Note: Points were awarded 8 for 1st, 7 for 2nd, etc.
Nebraska-Omaha garnered seven first-place votes with North Dakota gaining the remaining top vote.
Last season, UNO raced through the NCC schedule with a perfect 8-0 mark. The Mavericks then won the NCC tournament with a 5-2 win over Minnesota State in the finals. UNO had reached the championship with a 3-0 win over North Dakota while MSU handed Northern Colorado a 2-1 loss in the semifinals.
Nebraska-Omaha took their undefeated overall record into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Mavericks reeled off wins against Truman State, Northern Kentucky and Franklin Pierce to reach the national finals. In the national championship game the Mavericks came up just short, 2-1, against Christian Brothers and finished the season with a 22-1 mark. Northern Colorado also reached the NCAA playoffs, falling in the first round to Truman State.
Teams begin play on the weekend of August 29.
What the Coaches Are Saying
"This should be an extremely close race and every school had a great recruiting class and the standard of excellence has been set by UNO."
Chris Miskec, Minnesota State, Mankato
"I am pleased that the NCC is finally recognized as a premier soccer conference in nationally similar to football, basketball, volleyball, etc. I look forward to a competitive, close race with all teams in the hunt for the conference title."
Don Klosterman, Nebraska-Omaha
"UNO is obviously the frontrunner, but 2 through 8 will be a real dogfight."
Lang Wedemeyer, South Dakota State
"It should be another exciting race in the conference. We are looking forward to some great match-ups!"
Stephanie McGuinness, St. Cloud State
"This is going to be another competitive year for the NCC and a great race for the top bids."
Jessica Maddox, South Dakota
"Again, we look forward to facing high-quality players and teams in the NCC. We have a great league! Augustana is excited about the opportunities and challenges of the NCC schedule."
Steve Burkhalter, Augustana
"What an exciting conference, there are quality teams top to bottom. You need to be ready every weekend for a battle."
Matt Granstrand, North Dakota
2003 North Central Conference
Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
Nebraska-Omaha 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 62
Minnesota State 0 5 2 0 1 0 0 0 51
North Dakota 1 0 3 1 2 1 0 0 42
South Dakota State 0 2 1 2 0 2 1 0 38
North Dakota State 0 0 0 3 4 1 0 0 34
South Dakota 0 1 0 2 0 3 2 0 30
St. Cloud State 0 0 1 0 1 0 5 1 21
Augustana 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 10
Note: Points were awarded 8 for 1st, 7 for 2nd, etc.
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
