Aug. 13, 2008

Complete NSCAA Preseason Poll

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois soccer team was tabbed No. 19 ranking in the preseason poll by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), marking the fifth-straight year the Illini were picked to finish in the top 25 in the nation. The Orange and Blue are among three Big Ten teams with a preseason ranking, along with No. 9 Penn State and No. 24 Purdue.

In addition to conference foes Penn State and Purdue, Illinois is slated to face a pair of Southeastern Conference teams ranked in the top 25. The Illini will play No. 13 Tennessee and No. 20 Florida in back-to-back weekends on the road. Along with the four ranked opponents, the Orange and Blue will take on three teams that received votes in the preseason poll, including the opponent for their season opener, the Missouri Tigers. Big Ten foes Indiana and Ohio State also received votes.

The Illini travel to Xavier for their first exhibition on Sunday, Aug. 17, before opening the regular season at Missouri on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 5 p.m. Illinois' first home match of the season is set for Friday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. against Iowa State as part of the Illini Challenge Cup presented by Gameday Spirit and Dish Network. Pitt and Dayton will open the tournament at 5 p.m. on Friday before Illinois' match, with consolation and championship matches scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.