The Statesmen soccer programs join a league with some serious talent and will look to move up the ladder as the Heart of America Athletic Conference released its preseason rankings Tuesday.

William Penn is ninth on the men’s side, while the women are 10th in the 11-team conference (Peru State does not offer soccer). The men were 7-7-4 (2-1-3 MCC) a year ago and the women are coming off a 7-8-3 campaign (3-2-1 MCC).

Missouri Valley and Grand View, the 2014 league champions of the Heart and the Midwest Collegiate Conference, share the top spot for the men. The Benedictine (Kan.) women are #1 in the preseason and look to defend their crown. MVC, GVU, #3 MidAmerica Nazarene, and #4 Baker all qualified for the NAIA Men’s National Championships last year, while Benedictine was the lone women’s qualifier.

WPU begins the men’s season on August 26 with a road matchup against Ashford. The women start 2015 on August 29 in Indiana at the Calumet-St. Joseph Tournament versus former MCC and future Heart foe Mount Mercy.

2015 Heart of America Athletic Conference Preseason Men’s Soccer Ranking
School Points (First Place Votes)
1. Missouri Valley
1. Grand View
3. MidAmerica Nazarene
4. Baker
5. Culver-Stockton
6. Graceland
7. Benedictine (Kan.)
8. Avila
9. William Penn
10. Central Methodist
11. Evangel

2015 Heart of America Athletic Conference Preseason Women’s Soccer Ranking
School Points (First Place Votes)
1. Benedictine (Kan.)
2. Missouri Valley
3. Baker
4. Grand View
5. Culver-Stockton
6. MidAmerica Nazarene
7. Graceland
8. Central Methodist
9. Avila
10. William Penn
11. Evangel

Story provided by Wade Steinlage