9-Time Champs Tabbed 2nd in Preseason Poll

HILLSBORO, Ore — The nine-time defending Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University women’s soccer team will have to claw back to the top to extend its reign atop the league after being picked second in the annual NWC Coaches’ Poll released on Friday. The nine-time champs garnered 56 points and one of the eight first place votes. Crosstown rival University of Puget Sound (14-3-5, 12-0-4 NWC), co-champions last fall and the league’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division III Tournament, sits atop the rankings with 64 points and the remaining eight first place votes. Linfield University (10-5-5, 8-5-3 NWC) is…