SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The Northwestern College women's soccer team was picked to finish ninth in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) preseason women's soccer poll, the conference announced yesterday, August 11.
The Raiders will look to improve upon a ninth-place finish from the 2020 season under the leadership of new head coach
Shannon Andringa. The 2020 roster did not include a single senior, so a host of returners joined by a solid group of newcomers will compete to improve upon the 5-8-2 record of last season.
The defending GPAC regular season champion, Briar Cliff was selected to finish first with eight of the 13 first place votes. Concordia (Neb.), the defending GPAC postseason tournament champion, was picked to finish second and received two first-place votes. Jamestown was picked third, with Morningside and Hastings rounding out the top five.
The 2021 GPAC women's soccer season schedule will consist of 12 league games as all 13 teams will compete for the conference crown. Presentation College will again play in the GPAC as an affiliate member in men's and women's soccer.
The 2021 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship will be played November 30 through December 6, 2021, at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Alabama. The opening round will be played November 18 through 20 on campus sites. The GPAC will once again receive two automatic bids to the NAIA Postseason in 2021.
| 2021 GPAC Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll |
| Place |
School |
Pts (1st place votes) |
2020 Record *Covid affected some conference records* |
| 1. |
Briar Cliff Chargers |
136 (8) |
12-3-2 (10-1-1 GPAC) |
| 2. |
Concordia (Neb.) Bulldogs |
129 (2) |
11-6-2 (9-2-1 GPAC) |
| 3. |
Jamestown Jimmies |
120 (3) |
13-8 (7-5 GPAC) |
| 4. |
Morningside Mustangs |
113 |
12-4-1 (9-2-1 GPAC) |
| 5. |
Hastings Broncos |
107 |
11-6 (7-4 GPAC) |
| 6. |
Midland Warriors |
84 |
6-4-4 (4-3-3 GPAC) |
| 7. |
Dakota Wesleyan Tigers |
75 |
9-8 (7-5 GPAC) |
| 8. |
Dordt Defenders |
73 |
6-8-2 (5-5-2 GPAC) |
| 9. |
Northwestern Red Raiders |
57 |
5-8-2 (5-7 GPAC) |
| 10. |
College of Saint Mary Flames |
45 |
3-7-2 (3-6-2 GPAC) |
| 11. |
Mount Marty Lancers |
28 |
2-10-1 (2-9-1 GPAC) |
| 12. |
Doane Tigers |
25 |
1-14-3 (0-9-3 GPAC) |
| 13. |
Presentation Saints |
20 |
0-13-2 (0-10-2 GPAC) |
