University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Voted No. 22 in Preseason Poll
8/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 9, 2011
Even though the 2011 season has yet to begin, the University of Minnesota women's soccer team has already been tagged as one of the nation's top-25 teams. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) tabbed the Golden Gophers No. 22 in its preseason poll that was released Tuesday afternoon.
The Gophers are coming off a successful 2010 campaign where the squad reached the NCAA Sweet 16 and posted a record of 14-6-3. Minnesota finished last season ranked No. 21 in the NSCAA rankings.
This marks the fourth time in program history that Minnesota has been ranked in the preseason polls. In 2009, the Gophers were given the preseason honor of being ranked No. 19, which is the highest preseason ranking in program history, and the squad finished fourth in the Big Ten that year. In 1995 and 1997, the team entered the season No. 24 and No. 25, and it finished both seasons as Big Ten champions.
Dating back to last season, the Golden Gophers have now been ranked in the top 25 or at least received votes for the 12th week in a row.
Defending national champion Notre Dame begins the season atop the poll with Stanford and North Carolina rounding out the top three. Maryland, who Minnesota plays in its season opener on August 19, sits just outside the top five at No. 6. Ohio State and Illinois join the Maroon and Gold as the only schools in the Big Ten to be ranked in the top 25 with the Buckeyes sitting No. 8 and the Illini sneaking in at No. 24. Penn State, who shared the Big Ten title with Ohio State, is also receiving votes.
The Gophers season opener at Maryland is slowly approaching, but head coach Mikki Denney Wright's squad will test its skills on Friday in an exhibition match against North Dakota State. The match is free admission and begins at 7 p.m. at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
Visit gophersports.com to keep up on all the latest news on Minnesota women's soccer, or follow the team on Facebook (Golden Gopher Soccer) or Twitter (@GopherSoccer).
