SEATTLE (Aug. 14) ­ Once again the Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's soccer race could be a dead heat between Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University.

The GNAC coaches installed the Falcons and Redhawks as co-favorites in their preseason balloting. The two teams shared the title in 2006 and split their season series.

Seattle Pacific brings back seven starters, including top scorer James Coggan (18 points).

SPU and Seattle U. each earned two and one-half first-place votes, and were picked second on the other ballots. Western Washington rated third.

Montana State Billings, the league newcomer, and first-year program Saint Martin's round out the poll. The Falcons' first GNAC game is Sept. 7 on the Saints' Lacey (Wa.) campus.

GNAC Preseason Poll 
1. Seattle Pacific (2.5)     25 
1. Seattle (2.5)             25 
3. Western Washington        12 
4. Montana State Billings    10 
5. Saint Martin's             8