ST. LOUIS – The University of Northern Iowa women’s soccer team has been picked to finish fourth in a tight Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, the league announced Wednesday. The Panthers were just seven points shy of third place in the poll of the league’s head coaches.  UNI also received one first-place vote. 

In addition, one Panther earned preseason honors from the conference. Junior Sam Copley (Woodward, Iowa/Dallas Center-Grimes) was recognized as a preseason all-conference selection with the preseason poll. Copley is a midfielder from Woodward, Iowa.  Copley helped the Panthers to an 8-10-3 record in 2011 while serving as one of the primary defenders.  Copley played in all 21 games last season for the Panthers, earning the starting nod in 20 of those contests.  She recorded four shots on the year with two coming on goal.  Aside from the offense Copley has been a key member on the Panther defense.  She helped UNI post a program-best seven shutouts en route to their second-ever appearance in the MVC Semifinals.  The No. 6-seeded Panthers, with the help of Copley, defeated the No. 3-seeded Creighton Bluejays in Omaha 5-3 on penalty kicks. 

The Illinois State Redbirds, the defending conference champions and tournament champions, were picked as the preseason favorite with 47 points.  Illinois State also received five of the seven possible first place votes. 

The 2012 Panthers return seven starters from last year’s squad. Head coach James Price is entering his fourth season leading the program.

UNI will open its regular season with home match against North Dakota on Fri., Aug.17 before hitting the road for two matches against Western Illinois on Sun., Aug. 19 and Eastern Illinois on Fri., Aug. 24.

2012 MVC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll

Team (1^st Place Votes)           Total Points

1. Illinois State (5)                  47

2. Missouri State (1)              43

3. Creighton                           32

4. UNI (1)                               25

5. Drake                                 20

6. Indiana State                     16

7. Evansville                           14

2012 MVC Women's Soccer Preseason Team

Kristin Cooley, Illinois State                  
Sam Copley, UNI                                           
Grace Cross, Missouri State          
Megan Fisher, Drake                                   
Kelsey Fouch, Missouri State               
Kalena Litch, Drake                                    
Brittney Neumann, Creighton            
Stephanie Thompson, Evansville
Anna Stinson, Illinois State                   
Rachel Tejada, Illinois State                   
Nia Williams, Missouri State