UCM Jennies Picked to Finish 1st In MIAA Preseason Poll

The four-time defending MIAA regular season champion Jennies soccer team was the unanimous pick to finish on top in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll, released on Wednesday morning. The Jennies received 11 of 12 first-place votes cast by MIAA coaches, garnering 121 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Central Missouri finished the 2013 season with a 14-4-2 record, capturing its fourth-consecutive outright MIAA title and sixth in the past seven seasons. The Jennies finished with a 9-1-1 mark in conference play.

The Jennies return five starters, including four 2013 All-MIAA selections in juniors Julie Ireland and Nicole Pond and sophomores Emily Eldridge, and last year's MIAA Freshman of the Year, Hannah Pyle.

Southwest Baptist was picked to finish second with 100 points, followed by Central Oklahoma with 98 points, who earned the final first-place vote.

UCM opens the season at home on Friday, September 5 against Augustana at 7 p.m.

(Courtesy of UCM Athletic Department)