GAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
 
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Southern Nazarene was picked to finish fourth in the Great American Conference as the GAC released its Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll Tuesday.
 
The Crimson Storm, who finished fourth in 2013 at 5-5 in the GAC, received 13 points. They were five points behind Ouachita Baptist and two ahead of East Central. The two-time defending regular season and GAC Tournament champion, Southwestern Oklahoma State, takes the stop spot with 24 points and four first place votes. Harding picked up a first place vote as did Ouachita Baptist, but Harding had 19 points, just edging OBU by one point.
 
The Crimson Storm, who went 9-9 overall last year, return three of its top four scorers from a year ago, including All-GAC selections Bekah Stewart and Mallary Pineda. Stewart had five goals, tied for fourth in the GAC, and two assists while Pineda had two goals and three assists.
 
The GAC will have to wait one more year to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Once Northwestern Oklahoma State completes its Division II Membership process, the GAC will then have six full active members and will earn that automatic bid. All five schools eligible for postseason play can earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Southern Nazarene gets underway Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. when it hosts Rogers State at the Wanda Rhodes Soccer Complex.