Sports
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Martin Methodist women’s soccer was ranked No. 6 in the 2010 NAIA Women’s Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll, as it was released Aug. 17.
In-state opponent Lee University topped this year’s poll, followed by Point Loma Nazarene at No. 2. Concordia University, Lindsey Wilson College and Azusa Pacific University rounded out the top five, as the RedHawks checked in the sixth spot.
MMC is scheduled to face-off with three of the top five teams during the regular season in 2010.
After finishing last season also ranked sixth in the NAIA Women’s Soccer poll, Cleary looks to guide his RedHawks to their seventh NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship appearance as he begins his eighth season at MMC. The two-time National Champions (2005, 2007) fell in the quarterfinals in both 2008 and 2009 to rival Lee University, who went on to take back-to-back National titles and will look to avenge those losses in 2010.
Looking to remain a perennial power in the NAIA, Cleary has brought in Martin Methodist’s biggest recruiting class of 16 total players to make immediate impact for the RedHawks.
A match against reigning champion Lee University highlights MMC’s home schedule on Sept. 11.
In seven seasons as the head of Martin Methodist’s women’s soccer program, Cleary has boasted six consecutive TranSouth Regular Season and TranSouth Tournament Titles, including the 2009 honors.
Last season, MMC remained undefeated in TranSouth Athletic Conference play, with a 5-0-1 TSAC record.
The RedHawks were again chosen by TSAC coaches as this year’s champion in the 2010 Preseason Women’s Soccer Poll. MMC received all seven conference votes, earning 70 points, as they are the only team to be ranked in the NAIA Preseason Top 25.
Union University tallied 58 points in the voting, earning the spot behind MMC, while Lyon College and Bethel University earned a close third and fourth with 56 and 54 points, respectively. Cumberland University with 39 points and Trevecca-Nazarene with 37 points tangled for five and six, as Freed-Hardeman rounded out the seventh spot with 29 total points.
The RedHawks return NAIA All-American and TranSouth Freshman of the Year, defender Yalu Borbolla, alongside TranSouth All-Conference selections forward Nicole O’Donnell, midfielders Daniel Sofer and Simone Souze, defender Tatiane Alexo, and goalkeeper Hanit Schwarz.