Lady Blues picked 8th in MIAA Coaches Poll

Aug. 4, 2004

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The Washburn Lady Blues were picked 8th in the MIAA Coaches Poll that was released today. The Lady Blues are in their second year of existance and finished the season 4-13-1 last year. The Lady Blues open the season on Sept. 5 against Southwest Minnesota State on the Washburn Soccer Field.

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association women's soccer coaches have selected five-time champion Truman State University as the favorite to defend their conference title in 2004.

The Bulldogs are the only team to win the MIAA championship, as the sport enters its sixth year of conference sponsorship. Truman claimed five of a possible six first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team and one school did not participate), for 41 points. The Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II postseason in 2003 for the third straight year, and return the 2003 MIAA Most Valuable Player in senior F Sara Murray.

Southwest Baptist collected the two remaining first-place votes and placed second with 37 points. The Lady Bearcats return the conference's last two Freshman of the Year Award winners (junior M Vanessa Toll and sophomore F Pip Meo) and add 2002 MIAA MVP in junior F Ashley Munnelly, who sat out last season after transferring from Missouri Southern.

Central Missouri State was third in the poll with 33 points followed by Missouri-Rolla with 25. The Lady Miners, playing their last season in the MIAA, have former CMSU bench boss Al Iantorno taking over the coaching reins.

Northwest Missouri State fifth with 16 points, while Emporia State (led by new head coach Kara Lowery) and Missouri Southern tied for sixth one point behind the Bearcats. Washburn, with 14 points, rounded out the survey.

2004 MIAA Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
   School        Pts.
   1. Truman (5) 41
   2. Southwest Baptist (2) 37
   3. Central Missouri State 33
   4. Missouri-Rolla 25
   5. Northwest Missouri State 16
   6. Emporia State 15
      Missouri Southern 15
   8. Washburn 14
   
   Points awarded on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
   Coaches could not vote for their own school.
   One school did not participate.