ROCHESTER, Mich. – With five first-place votes, the Oakland University Women's Soccer team has been picked to finish first in the 2022 #HLWSOC Preseason Poll the conference announced on Wednesday.

"Preseason polls are usually a reflection of the previous year's final standings," said Head Coach Juan Pablo Favero, "So it's humbling for us to be put in such a high regard."

With 115 votes, the Golden Grizzlies are placed at the top spot over defending champion Milwaukee by seven and ahead of Northern Kentucky by 19 votes, respectively. Cleveland State (74), Green Bay (65), and Wright State (60) round out the top six.

"The only standings that will matter is the final one," said Favero, "We will work hard to finish where we envision come November." 

IUPUI, Purdue Fort Wayne, and Youngstown State, who garnered a single first-place vote, were selected seventh through ninth while both Detroit Mercy and Robert Morris round out the 11-team poll.

Oakland opens the 2022 regular season with a road match on Thursday, August 18 at 5:00 p.m. in Chicago, Illinois for a match with the DePaul Blue Demons.


2022 #HLWSOC Preseason Poll
Pl.    Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1.     Oakland (5) – 115
2.     Milwaukee (5) – 108
3.     Northern Kentucky – 96
4.     Cleveland State – 74
5.     Green Bay – 65
6.     Wright State – 60
7.     IUPUI – 55
8.     Purdue Fort Wayne – 51
9.     Youngstown State (1) – 49
10.    Detroit Mercy – 28
11.    RMU – 25