Women’s soccer 5th in preseason poll

By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State women’s soccer team heads into the 2021 season ranked fifth in the MIAA preseason coaches poll, released Thursday (Aug. 19) by the league office.

The Tigers received 80 points in the balloting process, just eight behind fourth-place Northeastern State. Central Oklahoma, winners of the 2021 spring tournament, open the season atop the poll with 116 points thanks to eight first-place votes. Emporia State received three first-place votes and sits in second, while Central Missouri received the other top vote and is third.

The Tigers have now been listed in the top five of the preseason poll each of the last six seasons, dating back to 2015. Fort Hays State has also finished the season in the top five in the MIAA standings for six-consecutive seasons going back to 2014.

Head coach Blake Reynolds, now in his fifth year at Fort Hays State, enters the season with a veteran squad, including 21 returners and just four newcomers this fall.

The Tigers will first face off with outside competition on Saturday (Aug. 21) when they host Kansas Wesleyan in an exhibition contest at noon. The regular season kicks off on Friday, September 3 when FHSU hosts Augustana at FHSU Soccer Stadium beginning at 6 p.m.

2021 MIAA Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma – 116 points (8 first-place votes)
2. Emporia State – 110 points (3)
3. Central Missouri – 104 points (1)
4. Northeastern State – 88 points
5. Fort Hays State – 80 points
6. Missouri Western – 72 points
7. Northwest Missouri – 59 points
8. Rogers State – 49 points
9. Washburn – 39 points
10. Missouri Southern – 32 points
11. Newman – 31 points
12. Nebraska Kearney – 12 points