SEATTLE (Aug. 15) ­ Although it lost six starters since finishing second in the nation, Seattle Pacific University nevertheless got the nod as the No. 2 women's soccer team in NCAA Division II to start the upcoming season.

Unbeaten in 57 consecutive regular season games over three seasons, the Falcons open play Aug. 24 at home against No. 25 Chico State. This is the highest preseason ranking in the program's six-year existence.

Nebraska-Omaha, which handed SPU its only loss (19-1-4) last season in the national championship game , is the No. 1 team in the NSCAA/adidas preseason coaches poll.

Seattle Pacific, which was No. 2 in the final poll of 2005, will face a second nationally-ranked foe in the first week of the season, hosting No. 19 Cal State Dominguez Hills Aug. 29 at Interbay Stadium.

1.        Nebraska Omaha                  20-2-0
2.        Seattle Pacific                 19-1-4
3.        Franklin Pierce (NH)            19-2-2
4.        Carson-Newman (Tn.)             16-4-0
5.        Metro State (Co.)               23-0-1
6.        West Florida                    20-2-2
7.        Grand Valley State (Mi.)        19-3-0
8.        West Chester (Pa.)              20-2-2
9.        Tampa                           19-2-2
10.       UC San Diego                    18-4-0
11.       Northern Kentucky               19-3-0
12.       Regis (Co.)                     17-6-1
13.       Assumption (Ma.)                15-4-4
14.       Catawba (NC)                    16-4-1
15.       New Haven (Ct.)                 17-4-1
15. tie   Central  Oklahoma               16-3-2
17.       Minnesota State Mankato         11-9-1
18.       Barry (Fl.)                     13-3-2
19.       Clayton State (Ga.)             15-3-2
19. tie   Cal State Dominguez Hills       13-7-2
21.       Merrimack (Ma.)                 14-6-1
22.       C.W. Post (NY)                  14-4-2
23.       Southern Illinois Edwardsville  17-6-0
24.       Tusculum (Tn.)                  12-6-2
25. tie   Chico State (Ca.)               14-5-3
25.       Bryant (RI)                     13-6-2