CORVALLIS, Ore. – After sweeping both the regular Cascade Collegiate Conference title and the CCC Men’s Soccer Tournament Championship, presented by U.S. Bank, Warner Pacific University was picked to repeat as the conference released the 2023 CCC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll on Monday.
The Knights grabbed seven first-place votes with 187 total points to land on top of the Preseason ranking. Warner Pacific had a tremendous year, making it to the second round of the NAIA Tournament before falling in a close 1-0 loss to University of Mobile. They ended the 2022 campaign ranked No. 21 Nationally with a 19-1-3 overall and 11-0-2 conference record.
This season, WPU is not only joined by several key returners but also four new transfers who are ready to jump into the Knight’s momentum as they begin a new year with the same goals.
Close behind in the poll was Southern Oregon University which received five first-place votes with 173 points. The Raiders are looking for redemption after ending their season with a shootout in the CCC Tournament to the Knights. With seven top upperclassmen returners, SOU has the experience to have another great year.
Oregon Tech did not receive a first-place vote but was ranked No. 3 in the poll with 161 points. After finishing second in the CCC Tournament, OIT earned the conference's second AQ to advance to the NAIA Championship. They fell in the opening round, 1-0 to MidAmerica Nazarene University.
College of Idaho earned some respect within the CCC, picking up one first-place vote to sit at No. 4 with 151 points. Although C of I has not had an NAIA postseason appearance in twenty years, with nine returning starters the Yotes are looking to create history.
Rocky Mountain College rounded out the top five with 130 points. The Battlin’ Bears are holding onto four star players while also adding three top athletes to complete their competitive roster.
Corban University was placed sixth while receiving the last first-place vote. Although they did not make it to the CCC Championship game, the Warriors received an at-large bid to the NAIA Tournament before falling in the opening round with a shootout to Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Eastern Oregon University was ranked No. 7 with 111 points while Multnomah University followed at No. 8 with 94 points. Next, The Evergreen State College was in the No. 9 spot, holding 82 points and No. 10 Northwest University close on their heels with 81 points. Carroll College followed at No. 11 with 76 points and then University of Providence at No. 12 with 40 points. Bushnell University (39 points) and Walla Walla University (14 points) round out the poll in the No. 13 and No. 14 spots, respectively.
The CCC season kicks off in just over a month on Sept. 15, with the conference tournament set to begin on Nov. 6, hosted by Bushnell in Springfield Oregon.
2023 CCC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Team (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
1. Warner Pacific University (7) |
187 |
2. Southern Oregon University (5) |
173 |
3. Oregon Tech |
161 |
4. College of Idaho (1) |
151 |
5. Rocky Mountain College |
130 |
6. Corban University (1) |
122 |
7. Eastern Oregon University |
111 |
8. Multnomah University |
94 |
9. The Evergreen State College |
82 |
10. Northwest University |
81 |
11. Carroll College |
76 |
12. University of Providence |
40 |
13. Bushnell University |
39 |
14. Walla Walla University |
14 |