MADISON, S.D. -- Defending North Star Athletic Association champions Viterbo picked up three first place votes and totaled 23 points in being selected as the preseason NSAA Coaches' Poll favorite. The poll was voted on by all five head coaches.
Bellevue earned 20 points and one first place vote to place second in the poll. Jamestown received the final first place vote on their way to 14 points and being pegged for third. Presentation was picked fourth, earning 13 points, and Waldorf was selected fifth with five points.
Viterbo edged Bellevue, 2-1, in the conference championship game a season ago despite the Bruins controlling large portions of that game, including most of the second half.
The NSAA Tournament will be held in November at a site yet to be determined.
The 2016 NSAA women's soccer regular-season will see each team play four conference games.
Bellevue is coming off a 12-4-0 season (3-1-0 NSAA) – their 12th-straight season reaching the 10-win mark – and return an experienced roster with 12 players that started at least five games last season.
The Bruins open their regular-season on Friday, Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. in Siloam Springs, Ark. against John Brown. The first home game is set for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14 against Concordia. The conference slate will kick off on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. in La Crosse, Wis. against Viterbo.
Here is the complete 2016 NSAA Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll:
1. Viterbo (3) – 23
2. Bellevue (1) – 20
3. Jamestown (1) – 14
4. Presentation – 13
5. Waldorf – 5
Key Returners:
| Class | Position | Player | Awards | 2015 Stats |
| Sr. | F | Jordyn Seidel | 2015 Second Team all-NSAA | 3 Goals, 7 Assists |
| Sr. | D | Victoria Perez | 2015 First Team all-NSAA, 2015 NSAA Newcomer of the Year | 10 Shutouts |
| Jr. | MF | Lauren Clark | 2-time all-conference | 6 Goals, 8 Assists (2014) |
| Sr. | F | Michelle Dolder | 2-time all-conference | 13 Goals, 3 Assists |
| Jr. | D | Kristin Hanson | 2015 First Team all-NSAA | 2 Goals, 2 Assists |
| Jr. | GK | Laurence Rodier | 2014 First Team all-MCAC | 8-3-0, 41 Saves |
