Aug. 13, 2008

Kansas City, Kan. - Grand Valley State University earned the No. 3 spot in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America preseason poll released on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The Lakers finished last season with a record of 21-1-1 and a second trip to the NCAA Semifinals in as many years. GVSU will open the season in Allendale on Friday, Aug. 29, against last year's national champion and this year's preseason No. 1, the University of Tampa.

Franklin Pierce University (N.H.), who lost to Tampa in last year's championship, comes into the season ranked at No. 2. After Grand Valley State at No. 3 comes Seattle Pacific, who finished last season with a record of 23-1-0. GVSU and Seattle Pacific were the only two schools to go through the regular season undefeated last season.

Columbus State (Ga.) rounds out the top five after finishing last season with a record of 20-3-2. Completing the top 10 are University of the Incarnate Word (Tex.), West Chester (Pa.), Minnesota-State Mankato, College of Saint Rose (N.Y.) and Central Oklahoma.