Men's Soccer | 8/10/2012 8:49:03 AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State received four first place votes in the first MIAA men’s soccer poll since the 1998 season. The Tigers, who started their soccer program only last season earn the top spot which was last held by Missouri S&T in the 1998 campaign. This marks the third stint for men’s soccer in the MIAA, with the sport first appearing from 1981-1988, again from 1994-1998 and making another appearance as a league sponsored sport this year.

Northeastern State, in their first season as a member of the league, is picked to finish second with 41 points and two first place votes. They edged out fellow MIAA newcomer Lindenwood by just one point as the Lions also grabbed two first place votes. Truman, who finished second in the league the last time the MIAA had men’s soccer, is picked to finish #4 with 27 points.

TSU comes in one point ahead of MIAA Associate Member Upper Iowa who is picked to finish in fifth place with 26 points. Fellow associate members Harding and Southern Nazarene are separated by only two points as they round out the #6 and #7 spots. Southwest Baptist is picked to finish #8 in this year’s preseason poll.

The 2012 season gets underway on August 31, 2012 and will culminate with the MIAA men’s soccer tournament to be held at the Olathe District Activities Center on Nov. 1-3.
 
2012 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Fort Hays State (4)     46
2. Northeastern State (2)     41
3. Lindenwood (2)         40
4. Truman         27
5. Upper Iowa         26
6. Harding         19
7. Southern Nazarene     17
8. Southwest Baptist       8