Lakeland College

Muskies tabbed to finish eighth in NAC

Athletics - posted on 8/23/2011

The Lakeland College men's soccer team has been picked to finish eighth in the Northern Athletics Conference by the league's coaches, the conference announced Tuesday.

The Muskies, who finished eighth in the NAC last season with a 3-4-4 NAC record, return a number of veteran players who hope to lead the team into the top half of the league this season. Lakeland was 3-10-4 overall last fall.

Powerhouse and five-time defending NAC champion Dominican was picked to finish first again with 11 of 12 first-place votes and 143 overall points. The Stars are ranked No. 23 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III poll.

Concordia, Wis., grabbed the second spot in the poll with 117 points, while Aurora landed the third-place spot.

Lakeland's home and season opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 3, at 3 p.m. against Martin Luther College. The Muskies open conference play on the road against Rockford on Sept. 17.

To see the complete preseason release click here.

2011 Northern Athletics Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Dominican (11), 143
2. Concordia Wisconsin, 117
3. Aurora, 115
4. MSOE, 113
5. Edgewood, 92
6. Benedictine, 80
7. Marian, 75
8. Lakeland, 61
9. Wisconsin Lutheran, 44
10. Concordia Chicago, 38
11. Maranatha, 34
12. Rockford (1), 24
first-place votes in parentheses
voted on by the conference's 12 head coaches