The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) has released its 2011 Preseason Soccer Coaches’ polls for both the men and the women. Both the Nebraska Wesleyan University men and women were picked to finish ninth in the respective GPAC polls. Returning NAIA National Champion Hastings College was picked to win the men’s championship, while NAIA National Runner-up Hastings women were picked to as GPAC women’s favorite.

The NWU men received 39 total points to finish ninth in the poll. Hastings got 100 total points and 10 first place votes as the preseason favorite, while Doane College was picked second with 90 points and the other first place vote.

NWU men finished the 2010 season with a 6-10-1 overall record and a 5-5-1 GPAC record to end the year fifth in the league standings. The Prairie Wolves will have a new head coach this season as Sean Steele takes over for coach Mike Lynch. Steele will welcome back 15 letterwinners and five starters for the 2011 season.

The Prairie Wolves men open the 2011 season on Sept. 1 when they host Simpson College at Abel Stadium.

The NWU women received 30 points in the coaches’ poll to finish ninth. Hastings had 10 first place votes and 100 total points to be selected as the favorite, while Midland and Dakota Wesleyan tied for second with 84 points. Midland had the other first place vote.

Nebraska Wesleyan finished 9-6-2 overall in 2010, but 4-5-2 in the GPAC to end the season ninth in the league standings. First-year coach Sean Steele must replace nine starters and lost 12 total letterwinners from last season.

NWU also opens the 2011 schedule on Sept. 1 as they will host Simpson College at 6 p.m., in Abel Stadium.