GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced the results of the 2024 women's soccer preseason poll on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
The poll was determined by a vote of the league coaches.
Coming off the best season in program history, Northern Michigan, the 2023 GLIAC regular season and tournament champions, was selected No. 1, receiving six first-place votes and totaling 62 points.
The 2024 Wildcats will be bolstered by the return the reigning GLIAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in Molly Pistorius and Maria Storm, respectively.
Grand Valley State, which won an NCAA Midwest Regional title in 2023, was voted second, earning 58 points and three first-place votes. The Lakers return their top five leaders in points in 2024.
Just two points separated the third and fourth place teams, Saginaw Valley State (47) and Ferris State (45). The Cardinals registered nine wins in 2023 and went 1-0-3 against the top two teams in the GLIAC while the Bulldogs are just two years removed from a Final Four run.
A single point was the difference between the next two teams in the poll. Parkside was ranked fifth (32 points) while Michigan Tech was positioned at No. 6 with 31 points.
Davenport (26), Purdue Northwest (13) and GLIAC newcomer Roosevelt (10) rounded out the poll.
2024 GLIAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
| 1. |
Northern Michigan |
62 (6) |
| 2. |
Grand Valley State |
58 (3) |
| 3. |
Saginaw Valley State |
47 |
| 4. |
Ferris State |
45 |
| 5 |
Parkside |
32 |
| 6. |
Michigan Tech |
|
31 |
| 7. |
Davenport |
26 |
| 8. |
Purdue Northwest |
13 |
| 9. |
Roosevelt |
|
10 |
