Valparaiso University has been predicted to finish in seventh place in the Horizon League’s 2011 preseason women’s soccer poll according to the voting done by the league’s head coaches.

Fourth-year head coach John Marovich returns 19 letterwinners, including 10 starters from last year’s 5-8-5 team, which posted a 1-5-2 mark in conference action, finishing in a tie for seventh in the Horizon League standings.

The Crusaders tallied 24 points in the preseason poll to place seventh, finishing ahead of Green Bay and Youngstown State.  Three-time defending champion Milwaukee was projected to win the league title yet again, garnering seven of the nine first place votes, with Butler tabbed second.  Wright State and Detroit each picked up one first place vote and were selected third and fourth respectively, followed by Cleveland State and Loyola (Chicago).

The voting, done by the league’s head coaches, awarded eight points for a first place vote through one point for an eighth place vote.  Coaches could not vote for their own team.

Valparaiso will open the 2011 regular season on Friday, Aug. 19, as the Crusaders host Morehead State at Brown Field.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.