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Truman women’s soccer picked up one first-place vote and placed second in the 2011 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll,.

The Bulldogs return all 11 starters from last season’s squad that reached the NCAA tournament’s second round.

The Bulldogs totaled 57 points in the nine-team poll, earning one first-place and seven second-place votes.

Last season’s conference champion Central Missouri was picked to repeat, collecting the other eight first-place votes for 64 total points, while Southwest Baptist (46), Missouri Southern (43) and Washburn (38) rounded out the top five.

Truman brings back a pair of two-time NSCAA all-region selections in senior midfielder Megan Buri and junior forward Olivia Hayes.

The squad’s two keepers – senior Jayne Grisham and sophomore Emily Bozdeck – combined for 11 shutouts for a Bulldog team that went 11-4-5 in 2010.

Head coach Mike Cannon also added 11 newcomers to his 15 returning letterwinners for the 2011 campaign.

Nine of the league’s 11 schools participate in women’s soccer, with only Pittsburg (Kan.) State and Lincoln (Mo.) not fielding teams.

The Bulldogs start practice on Monday, Aug. 15, before heading to Omaha, Neb., for nonconference matches against Midwestern (Texas) State and Central Oklahoma on Sept. 2 and 4.

Truman defeated MSU, 3-1, in the NCAA first round last season.

Truman will play seven games at home this season, beginning on Thursday, Sept. 15, against Northwest Missouri at 4:00 pm.

2011 MIAA Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses)

1. Central Missouri (8) – 64 pts.
2. TRUMAN (1) – 57 pts.
3. Southwest Baptist – 46 pts.
4. Missouri Southern – 43 pts.
5. Washburn – 38 pts.
6. Northwest Missouri – 29 pts.
7. Missouri Western – 23 pts.
8. Emporia State – 15 pts.
9. Fort Hays State – 9 pts.

Courtesy Truman State University