The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) has released its 2010 Preseason Soccer Coaches’ polls for both the men and the women. The Nebraska Wesleyan men were picked to finish eighth, while the NWU women were picked to finish tenth. Hastings College was the coaches’ choice to win the men's championship, while Dakota Wesleyan University was picked as the women's favorite.

The NWU men received 50 total points to finish eighth in the poll. Hastings got 121 total points and 11 first place votes as the preseason favorite, while Sioux Falls received 103 points and one first place vote to place second.

The Prairie Wolves finished the 2009 season with a 7-7-4 overall record and a 4-6-2 GPAC record to finish ninth in the GPAC standings under head coach Mike Lynch. The 2010 Prairie Wolves return six lettermen this season and added 11 freshmen and two transfers.

NWU opens the 2010 season on Sept. 1 when they travel to Indianola, Iowa to face Simpson College. The home opener is set for Sept. 6 against Central College at 4:30 pm.

The NWU women received 37 votes in the coaches’ poll to finish tenth. NWU was 5-10-3 overall in 2009 and went 1-8-3 in the GPAC to end the season in 12th. DWU received 113 points and seven first place votes to edge second place Midland Lutheran who had 109 points and four first place votes. Hastings rounded out the top three with 105 points and one first place vote.

Second year Head Coach Mike Lynch has a group of six returning senior players with starting experience and a total of nine letterwinners. Lynch also is bringing in five transfers from Dana College.

The Prairie Wolves women also open the 2009 campaign with a trip to face Simpson College on Sept. 1.