Messiah was a unanimous top pick by opposing conference coaches, receiving 64 points
2016 Schedule
ANNVILLE, Pa. (Women’s Soccer) – The Messiah Falcons were selected as the favorite in the 2016 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth (MAC Commonwealth) women’s soccer coaches. The Falcons received all eight first-place votes from opposing conference coaches for 64 points.
In 2015, Messiah won its 14th conference title in the last 16 seasons. The Falcons earned a berth to the NCAA Division III Championship, shutting out four-straight opponent, to advance to the national semifinal. Messiah tied Washington-St. Louis, 1-1, but fell in penalty kicks 3-2 to conclude its season. The Falcons did not lose a match in 2015, finishing the season with a 22-0-3 (8-0-0 MAC Commonwealth) overall record. Messiah was ranked No. 3 in the 2016 NSCAA Division III Preseason Poll.
Arcadia collected 52 points and Stevenson received 51 points to rank second and third in the poll.
The Knights fell to Messiah, 1-0, in the conference championship match in 2015. It was Arcadia’s first conference title match since they played in back-to-back title matches in 2009 and 2010. The Knights went on to win the ECAC Division III South Championship with wins over FDU-Florham and Lebanon Valley to finish the season with a 16-6 (6-2 MAC Commonwealth) overall record.
The Mustangs, who earned the second seed, fell to Arcadia in overtime in the conference semifinal a year ago. Stevenson concluded its season with a 9-11 (6-2 MAC Commonwealth) overall record.
Lebanon Valley received 47 points and Albright collected 31 points to round out the top-five. The rest of the poll, in respective order, included Widener (29 points), Alvernia (25 points), Lycoming (16 points) and Hood (9 points).
The 2016 MAC Commonwealth Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll and 2015 final standings can be viewed below.
| 2016 MAC Commonwealth Women's Soccer Preseason Poll |
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
(1st Place Votes) |
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| 1 |
Messiah |
64 |
(8) |
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| 2 |
Arcadia |
52 |
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| 3 |
Stevenson |
51 |
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| 4 |
Lebanon Valley |
47 |
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| 5 |
Albright |
31 |
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| 6 |
Widener |
29 |
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| 7 |
Alvernia |
25 |
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| 8 |
Lycoming |
16 |
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| 9 |
Hood |
9 |
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| 2015 MAC Commonwealth Women's Soccer Final Standings |
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| Finish |
Team |
Conf. |
Overall |
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| 1 |
Messiah |
8-0-0 |
22-0-3 |
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| T2 |
Stevenson |
6-2-0 |
9-11-0 |
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| T2 |
Arcadia |
6-2-0 |
16-6-0 |
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| 4 |
Lebanon Valley |
5-3-0 |
14-7-0 |
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| 5 |
Albright |
4-4-0 |
8-9-2 |
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| 6 |
Alvernia |
3-5-0 |
5-13-1 |
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| 7 |
Lycoming |
2-6-0 |
9-9-0 |
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| 8 |
Widener |
2-6-0 |
6-10-1 |
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| 9 |
Hood |
0-8-0 |
4-14-0 |
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