Falcon Women Kick Off 2004 With No. 22 Ranking
August 24, 2004

SEATTLE, Wa. (Aug. 24)--Seattle Pacific University will kick off its 2004 soccer campaign ranked 22nd in a preseason women’s soccer poll conducted by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The Falcons, who return 10 starters from last year’s 17-2-2 squad, open the regular season Saturday afternoon (Aug. 28) at Interbay Stadium versus No. 9 Cal State Dominguez Hills. Earlier, Seattle Pacific was installed as the favorite to win the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Franklin Pierce College of New Hampshire is the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II. Dominguez Hills, which defeated SPU in the first round of the 2003 NCAA tournament is No. 9, while defending Far West Region Champion UC San Diego sits at No. 3.

NSCAA Women’s Preseason Soccer Poll (August 24)

1.      Franklin Pierce (N.H.)          22-3-0 
2.      Nebraska-Omaha                  17-4-2 
3.      UC San Diego                    18-3-0 
4.      Metro State (Co.)               21-1-1 
5.      Adelphi University (N.Y.)       18-2-1 
6.      Barry University (Fl.)          16-5-3 
7.      Northern Kentucky University    17-3-4 
8.      Tusculum Colege (Tn.)           15-5-1 
9.      Cal State Dominguez Hills       17-4-1 
10.     Grand Valley State (Mi.)        17-2-2 
11.     Minnesota State                 14-6-2 
12.     West Texas A&M University       15-4-2 
13.     University of West Florida      17-4-1 
14.     College of Saint Rose (N.Y.)    14-5-2 
15.     Christian Brothers (Tn.)        17-1-2 
16.     Slippery Rock University (Pa.)  15-3-2 
17.     West Chester University (Pa.)   12-6-3 
18.     Carson-Newman College (Tn.)     15-4-2 
19.     Truman State University (Mo.)   18-2-1 
20.     Ashland University (Oh.)        16-1-2 
21.     Merrimack (Ms.)                 19-3-1 
22.     Seattle Pacific University      17-2-2 
23.     Presbyterian College (S.C.)     14-6-0 
24.     University of Central Oklahoma  15-6-2 
25.     Texas A&M - Commerce            16-3-3