Highest-ever national ranking greets women’s soccer in preseason

NAIA national poll | Season preview

SEWARD, Neb. – For the second time in program history, the Concordia University women’s soccer team finds itself ranked among the NAIA’s top 25 teams. In the NAIA Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll released on Tuesday, the Bulldogs appeared at No. 21, marking the highest-ever national ranking for the program. Bulldog women’s soccer achieved its only other top 25 placement (No. 24) last season after claiming the GPAC tournament title.

Also announced on Tuesday, head coach Greg Henson’s squad has been pegged by league coaches to finish second in the GPAC behind defending regular-season champion Hastings. In 2014 Concordia won its only two meetings against the Broncos, who were ranked 16th and 20th, respectively, at the time of those matchups.

Last season Concordia exceeded its preseason slotting of fifth in the conference poll by placing runner up during the regular season. The Bulldogs went 9-0-4 against GPAC opponents and broke program single-season records for wins (15), shutouts (12) and fewest goals allowed (19).

According to GPAC preseason rankings that date back to 2006 (see below), Concordia’s placement of No. 2 is the highest for the program in at least 10 years. The Bulldog women’s soccer program played its first varsity contests in 1996, making 2015 the 20th season in school history.

Concordia preseason GPAC rankings
2015: 2nd
2014: T-5th
2013: 7th
2012: T-4th
2011: 6th
2010: 7th
2009: 11th
2008: 10th
2007: 6th
2006: 5th