Preseason Conference Poll

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport women's soccer team continues to receive a lot of respect from the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference coaches as it was picked to finish third in the league's preseason poll for the third consecutive season.

The Panthers, coming off a program-record 11 wins and a third straight third-place finish a season ago, kick off the newest slate hosting the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. Davenport's quest for its first ever WHAC crown will begin on the road at newcomer Lawrence Tech Sept. 29.

Only Siena Heights and defending WHAC champion Aquinas can be seen above the Panthers in the preseason poll. Siena Heights was tabbed as the favorite to win the WHAC and Aquinas as the runner-up. Rounding out the rest of the league behind the Panthers were Indiana Tech, Cornerstone, Madonna, newcomer Marygrove, Concordia and the league's other newcomer Lawrence Tech.

Fourth-year head coach Chris Allen believes the poll is very accurate.

“I think its perfect because Siena Heights obviously won the tournament and Aquinas won the league title 6-0. For us to be behind those two, which were very successful last year, it's kind of perfect,” Allen said.

Since its inception in 2006, Davenport has seen its win column increase each season, especially in the Allen era. Allen's squad collected eight wins in 2009, nine in 2010 followed by the program-record 11 in 2011. Looking to increase the number of wins, Allen will have many experience returners coming back in 2012, including leading scorer Letesha Cannonier and veteran goalkeeper Catherine Howard.

“I think we can improve on last year. I'm looking forward to play number one and two and see what we can do against them,” Allen said. “Hopefully by the end of the season we will move up.”
 
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