KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The Seattle Pacific women's soccer team is ranked No. 5 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll produced by the United Soccer Coaches organization.
 
The lofty ranking is based on the fact the Falcons have all 11 starters returning from last season's squad that registered an undefeated, 8-0-1 record. They outscored opponents by a combined 39-7 margin during the abbreviated campaign that was moved from the fall to spring due to the COVID outbreak.
 
"The ranking is a testament to the work that we did in the spring, and that validates a lot of the things that we did," said Arby Busey, who begins his seventh season as the SPU head coach. "It feels nice, but ultimately we're back to square one and we have to get after it once we're allowed to start."
 
The Falcons open the season with a three-game road trip to California, beginning at Chico State on September 11. Their first home game at Interbay Stadium is slated for Sept. 23 at 3:00 p.m. versus Montana State Billings.
 
Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida is the preseason No. 1, Mississippi College is No. 2, Angelo State No. 3 and McKendree No. 4. Lee polled in the sixth spot with Dallas Baptist, Jefferson, Grand Valley State and Central Oklahoma rounding out the top-10.
 
Two of SPU's Great Northwest Athletic Conference rivals also drew a preseason ranking with Northwest Nazarene at No. 11 and Western Washington tied for 25th.
 
 

The Falcons are featured in the initial coaches poll for the first time since 2014. The No. 5 listing is their loftiest preseason position since they were top-ranked entering the 2009 season, following their 2008 national championship run.
 
There was no GNAC schedule, nor NCAA Division II playoffs last season.
 
Ten different Falcons netted a goal last season and all of them return this fall. The potent offense was led by the impressive 10-goal, eight-assist performance of senior forward Sophia Chilczuk, who delivered two decisive strikes and assisted on five game-winning goals for teammates.
 
Chilczuk (Kentridge HS) compiled those totals in only eight games. She ranked second nationally in total points (28) and was third in both goals and assists.
 
Senior Claire Neder contributed eight goals and five assists while junior Chloe Gellhaus scored six times. Sophomore Sophie Beadle had three goals in her inaugural collegiate campaign while tying for team honors with eight assists.
 
The dynamic defense is an experienced unit backed by senior goalkeeper Riley Travis, who played a part in four shutouts.
 
"The No. 5 ranking is fun, but not a whole lot more than that," Busey said. "We won't put a lot of stock into where we're ranked right now. We'd rather be ranked highly at the end of the season than at the beginning."

2021 Preseason NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Poll
(conducted by United Soccer Coaches)

Rank,  School (2020 final record)
1.   Flagler (8-0-2)
2.   Mississippi College (8-0-0)
3.   Angelo State (10-0-0)
4.   McKendree (14-2-1)
5.   Seattle Pacific (8-0-1)
6.   Lee (8-1-2)
7.   Dallas Baptist (12-1-1)
8.   Jefferson (7-1-0)
9.   Grand Valley State (6-1-1)
10.  Central Oklahoma (7-4-1)
11.  Northwest Nazarene (11-0-0)
12.  Notre Dame College (6-2-3)
13.  Lenoir-Rhyne (9-1-1)
14.  Concord (8-2-0)
15.  Oklahoma Baptist (7-4-1)
16.  Holy Family (5-1-1)
17.  Ferris State (8-1-1)
18.  UC Colorado Springs (8-1-0)
19.  Delta State (8-1-2)
20.  Columbus State (6-1-2)
21.  Frostburg State (6-1-2)
22.  Fresno Pacific (6-1-0)
23.  Missouri Western State (7-3-1)
24.  Findlay (10-1-1)
25t. Western Washington (4-1-2)
25t. Tampa (6-0-1)