LA GRANDE Ore. – Concordia University is the coaches’ preseason favorite to win the 2014 Cascade Collegiate Conference women’s soccer title, according to a poll released by the conference office.
The defending national champions earned a perfect 100 points in the poll with all ten first place votes. The Cavaliers finished the 2013 campaign 9-0 in the CCC and 22-1-1 overall on their way to the NAIA national title.
Northwest University, earned 85 points and is picked 2
nd in the poll by all the CCC coaches. The Eagles completed the 2013 campaign 6-2-1 in CCC play and 10-8-2 overall. Corban (6-2-1 CCC, 11-6-3) was picked third with 81 points.
Southern Oregon (73) is picked fourth in the poll followed by Eastern Oregon (54), Oregon Tech (44), Northwest Christian (32), College of Idaho (29), Warner Pacific (28) and Evergreen (24).
Despite losing the NAIA National Player of the Year Hannah Kimsey, Cavalier Head Coach Grant Landy returns a tremendous amount of depth and experience. Top returners include senior defender Jasmin Ayayla, senior forward Ashley Ames, senior midfielder Erin Huisingh and sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Brock.
Northwest, under second-year head coach Val Seid, returns nine starters including first-team All-CCC selections senior midfielder Rachel Saleen and senior forward Acacia Johnson.
Corban University, picked 3
rd, boasts eight starting returners led by senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Mendenhall who recorded 40 saves and one shutout in the 2013 campaign. The Warriors will look to fill the offensive void left by Audrey Sullivan. Sullivan, who was the CCC Offensive Player of the Year completed a stellar career as a third -team NAIA All-American.
The top six teams in the CCC’s final regular season standings will earn spots in the conference’s postseason tournament which begins with quarterfinals on Nov.5, semifinals Nov. 8 and the championship on Nov. 15. Matches will be held on campus sites. The CCC’s tournament champion will earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships, which begin Nov. 22.
2014 CCC Coaches' Poll
|
|
Team |
Points |
2013 CCC |
2013 Overall |
|
1 |
Concordia (10) |
100 |
9-0 |
22-1-1 |
|
2 |
Northwest |
85 |
6-2-1 |
10-8-2 |
|
3 |
Corban |
81 |
6-2-1 |
11-6-3 |
|
4 |
Southern Oregon |
73 |
5-3-1 |
10-6-3 |
|
5 |
Eastern Oregon |
54 |
5-4 |
9-5-1 |
|
6 |
Oregon Tech |
44 |
7-10-1 |
4-5 |
|
7 |
Northwest Christian |
32 |
2-5-2 |
4-11-2 |
|
8 |
College of Idaho |
29 |
1-8 |
3-13 |
|
9 |
Warner Pacific |
28 |
2-6-1 |
3-8-1 |
|
10 |
Evergreen |
24 |
2-7 |
3-11 |
first place votes in parentheses