CCIW Release 

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin released its annual Men's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll Wednesday, Aug. 16, with the kickoff of the 2023 season just weeks away. Illinois Wesleyan was predicted to finish seventh in the league with 27 points. 

North Park, who took second in the CCIW last season, received five of the nine possible first-place votes and topped the poll with 61 points. North Central, who won the CCIW championship in the previous season is close behind, with four first-place votes and 59 points. Wheaton accumulated 47 points to round out the top three.

Carthage ended up in fourth place with 43 points. Fifth place was Carroll with 33 points and just behind them in sixth was Elmhurst with 33 points. Illinois Wesleyan ranked in the seventh spot with 27 points, while Augustana and Millikin tied for eighth place with 12 points apiece. 

Voting is done by the CCIW's head men's soccer coaches. Each coach votes for the eight other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (eight points for first, seven for second, etc.). Coaches do not vote for their own teams.

Illinois Wesleyan begins its season Friday, Sept. 1 with a non-conference competition versus Washington University in St. Louis. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Neis Field.


2023 CCIW Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. North Park (five first-place votes), 61 points 
2. North Central (four first-place votes), 59 points 
3. Wheaton, 47 points 
4. Carthage, 43 points
5. Carroll, 33 points 
6. Elmhurst, 30 points
7. Illinois Wesleyan, 27 points
T8. Augustana, 12 points 
T8. Millikin, 12 points