SEATTLE (Aug. 15) ­ Bumped from their roost a year ago, the Seattle Pacific University women's soccer team is expected to climb back atop the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2007.

The Falcons got the nod over defending champion Seattle University in the GNAC preseason coaches poll, earning five of eight first-place votes.

Seattle Pacific will be seeking its fifth title in six years, although both Seattle U. and Western Washington are expected to mount strong challenges. All three teams made the NCAA Division II tournament in '06, with SPU advancing to the regional championship game.

Chuck Sekyra has eight returning starters plus a strong class of recruits.

The Falcons play seven of their first eight games at home. The first game is Aug. 23 versus Hawaii Hilo at Interbay Stadium and the GNAC opener is Sept. 12 against Central Washington.

GNAC Preseason Poll (first-place votes, last season records, poll points)
1. Seattle Pacific (5) 17-5-0 (7-3-0)     64 
2. Seattle (2) 15-3-2 (8-1-1)             58 
3. Western Washington (1) 14-5-1 (7-2-1)  53 
4. Montana State Billings 13-6-1 (None)   37 
5. Central Washington 6-9-4 (1-6-3)       28 
6. Western Oregon 9-9-2 (2-7-1)           26 
7. Northwest Nazarene 8-11-0 (2-8-0)      21 
8. Saint Martin's First Year               9