The University of Illinois Springfield women's soccer team has been voted seventh in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) preseason poll, as announced Thursday by the league office.

The league's head coaches vote in the preseason poll. Coaches, per GLVC Bylaws, are not permitted to vote for their own team.

The Maryville Saints topped the poll with 195 points and 13 first-place votes. The reigning conference tournament champion McKendree Bearcats were ranked second, receiving one first-place vote. Drury and Lewis secured the third and fourth spots, while Rockhurst, Missouri-St. Louis, UIS, and Indianapolis rounded out the top eight positions in the poll. 

Last season, the Prairie Stars finished 6th in GLVC play with a 7-4-2 record, tying the program's record in conference wins. UIS has advanced to the GLVC Tournament in each of the last two seasons.

The Prairie Stars are set to kick off their regular season at Kiwanis Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 5 against the Findlay Oilers. The GLVC slate begins at William Jewell on Sunday, Sept. 15.

2024 GLVC WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL