The Washburn Lady Blues were picked fourth in the MIAA preseason coaches poll which was released Aug. 5 by the MIAA. Washburn opens the season on Sept. 3 when they will travel to Austin, Texas to face St. Edward’s.

The Lady Blues finished the 2009 season with an 11-8-1 record and an 8-7-1 conference record finishing in fourth place in the MIAA standings. Washburn is looking to carry over the winning ways from the final three matches last season to the opening of the 2010 season as they will return 11 letterwinners and six starters including five who earned all-MIAA honors one season ago. The Lady Blues are also adding seven talented freshmen and an NCAA Division I transfer who will all compete for time as soon as camp opens in August.

Defending conference champion Truman ws the top pick receiving six first-place votes tallying 60 points topping Nebraska-Omaha, who recorded 56 and Central Missouri who recorded 55 points. UNO had one first-place vote and the Jennies accounted for the other two top votes.

Following the Lady Blues was Missouri Western in fifth with 31 points. Northwest Missouri finished sixth with 29 points followed by Southwest Baptist in seventh with 28, Missouri Southern at seventh with 14 points and Emporia State in ninth with nine total points.

2010 MIAA Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Truman (6) – 60 pts.

2. Nebraska-Omaha (1) – 56 pts.

3. Central Missouri (2) – 55 pts.

4. Washburn – 42 pts.

5. Missouri Western – 31 pts.

6. Northwest Missouri – 29 pts.

7. Southwest Baptist – 28 pts.

8. Missouri Southern – 14 pts.

9. Emporia State – 9 pts.