The Valparaiso University women’s soccer team has been picked to finish fifth in the Horizon League in the 2013 season, according to preseason polling of the league’s head coaches.

Sixth-year head coach John Marovich returns 15 letterwinners, including seven starters, from his 2012 team, which went 10-6-3 overall and 3-2-2 in Horizon League action, leading the nation in goals against average.  The Crusaders also add 12 newcomers for the 2013 campaign as well.

Detroit topped the polling with 47 points, including six of the eight first-place votes. Wright State and Milwaukee were second and third with 38 and 36 points, respectively, and each received one first-place vote. Oakland edged out Valpo by one point, 32-31, for fourth position, while Youngstown State (16), Green Bay (15) and Cleveland State (9) rounded out the polling.