HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer team has been picked sixth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason coaches poll, which was released Wednesday by the league office.

Defending GLVC champion Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville received 13 first-place votes and 169 points to gain the favorite’s role. SIUE posted a 19-3-2 record last season and advanced to the NCAA Division II national championship game. The Cougars dropped a 2-1 decision to Seattle in the national finals.

Wisconsin-Parkside received 147 votes to edge Lewis (145 points) for second in the poll. They were followed by Rockhurst (131), Quincy (124) and NKU (109).

NKU compiled a 12-6-2 record last season, and the Norse posted a fifth-place finish in the GLVC. NKU returns 10 starters from last year, including All-GLVC performers Chris Thompson and Andy Bacon.

Thompson, a sophomore forward, scored a team-leading seven goals in 2004. Bacon, a sophomore defender, helped anchor an NKU defense that allowed just 12 goals the entire season. The Norse welcome back senior Randy Walters, who scored four goals and added five assists last season.

NKU begins the season Aug. 27 by taking on Lincoln Memorial in the John Toebben Classic, presented by National City. That game will be at 4:30 p.m. at the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder, Ky.

GLVC men’s soccer preseason poll

1. Southern Illinois at Edwardsville (169)
2. Wisconsin-Parkside (147)
3. Lewis (145)
4. Rockhurst (131)
5. Quincy (124)
6. Northern Kentucky (109)
7. Drury (87)
8. Indianapolis (77)
9. Bellarmine (68)
10. Missouri-Rolla (63)
11. Missouri-St. Louis (62)
12. Southern Indiana (48)
13. Saint Joseph’s (31)
14. Kentucky Wesleyan (13)