Ball State Picked Second in MAC Preseason Poll

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference women's soccer head coaches have made their preseason predictions for the 2018 season, and the Ball State University soccer team has been selected to finish second.

After winning its third consecutive MAC West Division title in 2017, Ball State received 119 points in the poll and one first-place vote. Kent State was picked by the coaches to win the conference after receiving 134 points and eight first-place votes.

The Cardinals also earned one vote to win the MAC Tournament Championship. Kent State was the favorite with six votes, and Buffalo, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Toledo and Western Michigan each received one vote apiece.

Bowling Green, Buffalo and Central Michigan were picked fourth, fifth and sixth; while last year's tournament champion, Toledo, was picked sixth. Eastern Michigan, Ohio and Western Michigan were picked sixth through ninth. Akron received one first-place vote and tied with Northern Illinois for 10th, while Miami rounded out the predicted standings at 12th.

The MAC will compete for one regular-season title this year as the previous model of two divisions has been dissolved for women's soccer.

Ball State will open the 2018 season on Friday, Aug. 17, at Purdue Fort Wayne.

2018 MAC Preseason Poll
1. Kent State – 134 (8)
2. Ball State – 119 (1)
3. Bowling Green – 114 (2)
4. Buffalo - 111
5. Central Michigan - 81
6. Toledo - 74
7. Eastern Michigan - 70
8. Ohio - 65
9. Western Michigan - 58
T10. Akron – 40 (1)
T10. Northern Illinois - 40
12. Miami – 30

Tournament Champion: Kent State (6)
Buffalo (1), Ball State (1), Bowling Green (1), Central Michigan (1), Toledo (1) Western Michigan (1)
(first place votes)

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