Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Aug. 17, 2023 - The North Central College women's soccer team is the preseason favorite according to the annual College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin coaches poll to begin the 2023 season. The Cardinals are looking to claim the first CCIW Title in program history.

The Cardinals, who did not lose a game in CCIW play last season, finished in second place with a 4-0-4 record behind CCIW Champions Illinois Wesleyan University (6-1-1). Overall, North Central went 12-2-5 on the year while advancing to the CCIW Tournament Championship for the second straight season.

North Central earned 63 points and seven first-place votes in the poll. Trailing the Cardinals are Illinois Wesleyan in second place (56 points, two first-place votes), Augustana College and Wheaton College tied for third place (41 points), Carroll University in fifth place (38), North Park University in sixth place (31), Carthage College in seventh place (24), Millikin University (22) in eighth place, and Elmhurst University in ninth place (8).

The poll is comprised of the CCIW head women's soccer coaches each casting a vote of predicted order of finish for the other eight CCIW schools. Each vote is scored by assigning points in reverse order of finish (eight points for first place, seven for second, etc.). The coaches do not vote on their own team.

The Cardinals open the 2023 season in Northfield, Minn. as they take on St. Olaf College on Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. You can view their entire schedule HERE.

Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.