HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – In the annual Horizon League Women's Soccer Preseason Poll voted on by the coaches, reigning league regular-season champion Northern Kentucky was picked to finish second. The Norse garnered 120 points and a first-place vote, but finished just behind Milwaukee's 130 points and nine first place nods.
NKU ended Milwaukee's run of five-straight regular-season titles last season with a 7-0-1 league mark. The two teams then met in the league tournament title match, which ended in a 0-0 draw, but saw the Panthers claim the title in penalty kicks.
The Norse return the Horizon League Defensive and Goalkeeper of the Year Mimi Stines. Stines ranked third in the nation in both goals against average (.264) and save percentage (.929). Lindsey Meyer also returns for the Norse to help orchestrate the offense, as she ranked 10th in the country in assists per game (0.73).
Oakland checked in at No. 3 in the poll, collecting a first-place vote and 112 points. UIC (111 points), IUPUI (104), Cleveland State (91) and Wright State (73) round out the top-7.
Youngstown State was picked eighth with 46 points and received the final first-place vote. The poll concludes with Green Bay (44), Purdue Fort Wayne (42), Detroit Mercy (41) and Robert Morris (22).
The regular-season kicks off for Northern Kentucky with the Riverboat Rivalry against UC. NKU Soccer Stadium will host the match on Thursday, Aug. 19, with a 7 p.m. start.
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