Morningside leads GPAC preseason poll

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — In a tightly voted poll, the Morningside University men's soccer team was picked Thursday as the Great Plains Athletic Conference preseason favorite by the coaches.

The Mustangs — last season's regular-season champions — received 87 votes, just ahead of Concordia and Hastings. They received three of the 11 first-place votes.

On top of winning the GPAC regular-season title, the Mustangs also advanced to the conference semifinals. They went 11-6-2 overall last season, and 7-1-2 against GPAC foes.

Morningside's season opener is Aug. 26 at Grand View, while its first home match will be Sept. 3 against Providence (Mont.).