Aurora University received 11 of the 12 first place votes in the preseason coaches' poll.

Aurora selected as inaugural champ in NAC women's soccer poll
VERONA, Wis. -- Aurora University received 11 of 12 first place votes, and was selected to win the title in the preseason poll of the Northern Athletics Conference, as selected by the women's soccer coaches. Edgewood College was selected second, while Concordia University Wisconsin was tabbed for the No. 3 spot.

The Spartans (15-7-1) have made two consecutive trips to the NCAA Championship, and won last year's league championship in the former Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference. Aurora lost their first round game in the NCAA Championship last season, and will look to avenge the loss by becoming the first women's soccer champions in the new Northern Athletics Conference.

Edgewood (14-5) won the conference title in the former Lake Michigan Conference last season with an 8-0 record, but fell in the tournament semifinals, costing them a trip to the NCAA Championship. The Eagles have made three appearances in the NCAA Championship from 1999-2001.

The Falcons (9-11-1) finished just below .500 last season, but won eight of their last 11 games in 2005. Concordia Wisconsin looks to continue the hot streak in the new Northern Athletics Conference in 2006.

The complete Northern Athletics Conference Preseason Poll follows.

2006 NAC Preseason Poll

1. Aurora (11) 143
2. Edgewood 127
3. Concordia Wisconsin 112
4. Lakeland (1) 110
5. Dominican 91
6. Marian 77
7. Concordia Chicago 73
8. Wisconsin Lutheran 68
9. Benedictine 48
10. Maranatha Baptist 45
11. Rockford 28
12. Alverno

First place votes are noted in parentheses ( ), followed by total points received.

Northern Athletics Conference, Sports Information Department, August 29, 2006.