The Emporia State women’s soccer team was selected seventh in the MIAA preseason coaches poll released on Wednesday.
The Hornets, who finished 3-15-1 last season, received 14 points in the ranking.
Defending MIAA champion Washburn was picked to win the conference, receiving four first-place votes and 43 points overall. The Lady Blues return the league’s leading scorer and Most Valuable Player from last year in forward Jessica Mainz.
Missouri Southern was second (41 points) followed by Central Missouri (37 points) and Southwest Baptist (33 points).
Truman, which won all seven conference championships before Washburn unseated it last year, came in fifth.
ESU coach Jim Schneiderhahn is back for his second year, ending a frustrating trend with the Hornet soccer program. It will be the first time since 2002 that ESU has had the same coach for a second season.
The Hornets bring back 10 players who started at least 10 games a year ago.
For the first time in conference history, a postseason tournament will be held at the end of the year. The top four teams in the league will advance to the tourney, which will be hosted by the MIAA regular-season champion on Nov. 3-4.
2007 MIAA Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Washburn (4) 43
2. Missouri Southern (2) 41
3. Central Missouri (2) 37
4. Southwest Baptist 33
5. Truman 31
6. Northwest Missouri State 18
7. Emporia State 14
8. Missouri Western 7