Concordia Unanimous Selection to Win CCC Women’s Soccer Title
LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Concordia Cavaliers earned all 10 first place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll to enter the 2013 season as the unanimous favorite to win the Cascade Conference women’s soccer title.
Northwest was the clear favorite to take second in the conference table. Southern Oregon edged out Corban for third while Oregon Tech is predicted fifth this season. College of Idaho was selected sixth in the poll, followed by Northwest Christian, Eastern Oregon, Evergreen and Warner Pacific.
The Cavaliers, who tied with Northwest for the regular season title last season and won the CCC tournament, return six starters this season from the 2012 squad that spent six weeks as the top-ranked team in the country.
Hannah Kimsey returns in the midfield after earning First-Team NAIA All-American honors as a junior. Head coach Grant Landy will look for his 300th career win this season, entering the year with a record of 289-57-23 in his 17th season at Concordia.
Northwest will be led by two-time CCC Coach of the Year Erin Redwine, who will look for her 50th career win in her eighth season at Northwest. The Eagles will be led by first-team All-CCC selection and Honorable Mention NAIA All-American midfielder Jessica Oliver.
The CCC tournament expands by two to six teams this season, beginning on Nov. 6. The regular season champion and the runner-up will earn a berth in the tournament semifinals against the winner of the quarterfinals, which matches the No. 3 and 6 seeds and the 4 and 5 seeds. Semifinals will be held on campus sites on Nov. 9 while the highest remaining seed will host finals on Nov. 16. The CCC’s tournament champion will earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships, which begin Nov. 23.
CCC Coaches' Poll
|
Team |
Points |
|
Concordia (10) |
100 |
|
Northwest |
89 |
|
Southern Oregon |
73 |
|
Corban |
71 |
|
Oregon Tech |
54 |
|
College of Idaho |
51 |
|
Northwest Christian |
45 |
|
Eastern Oregon |
32 |
|
Evergreen |
22 |
|
Warner Pacific |
13 |
first place votes in parentheses