MOORHEAD, Minn. (08/16/06)-- Despite returning 10 of their 11 starting players on a team that lost in overtime in the MIAC title game, Concordia was picked second in the MIAC Coach's Preseason Poll. The Cobbers earned five, first-place votes - one less than defending champion Macalester. The Scots lost four All-Region players from last year's team and have only two seniors and four juniors on this year's squad.

Concordia begins its season search for respect on Saturday, Sept. 2 in California when they participate in the University of Redlands tournament. The Cobbers' opening game will be against nationally-ranked UC-Santa Cruz. The Banana Slugs are ranked 25th in the NSCAA preseason poll.

Senior forward Morgan Bain will be the focal point of the Cobber offense as she tries to break the school record for points in a career. Bain, the two-time all-region player and 2004 MIAC MVP, has 114 points entering the year and needs 24 to break the record held by Angie Tohm ('91).

The Cobbers will open their MIAC slate on Sept. 12 when they host St. Thomas at 4 p.m. The Tommies were picked to finish third in the coach's poll.

2006 MIAC Coach's Preseason Poll

1. Macalester (6)
2. Concordia (5)
3. St. Thomas
4. Saint Benedict
5. Augsburg
6. St. Olaf (1)
7. Saint Mary's
8. Gustavus
9. Carleton
10. Hamline
11. St. Catherine
12. Bethel