Contact: Lou Groce, Director of Media and Information, 920-229-8157

GRINNELL, Iowa – After winning its first Midwest Conference men’s soccer championship since 1988, Knox College has been picked to once again finish at the top of the standings in the annual MWC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. 

Although the Prairie Fire achieved 81 points and three first-place votes, it will be a tight race this conference season.  Carroll University was voted second in the poll after receiving three first-place votes and a total score of 79 points.  St. Norbert College also received three votes for the top spot and finished just behind the Pioneers with 76 points.  Lake Forest College is projected to earn the final postseason berth in the Midwest Conference Tournament after finishing with 73 points and a first-place vote.

Grinnell College is expected to finish in fifth place with 52 points, edging out Monmouth College who earned 51.  Despite making the MWC Tournament last season, Illinois College is expected to slide to seventh place (48). 

Lawrence University was projected eighth (36) followed by Beloit College (22), Cornell College (19) and Ripon College (9). 

Voting is done by the MWC’s head coaches. Each coach votes for the 10 other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (10 points for first, nine for second, etc.). Coaches do not vote for their own teams.

2015 Midwest Conference Coaches’ Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Knox (3) 81
2. Carroll (3) 79
3. St. Norbert (3) 76
4. Lake Forest (1) 73
5. Grinnell 52
6. Monmouth 51
7. Illinois College 48
8. Lawrence 36
9. Beloit 22
10. Cornell 19
11. Ripon 9