Bruin soccer opens season at No. 8 in NAIA Preseason Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Bellevue University men's soccer team, under coach Mark Heath-Preston, opens the 2021 season ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll, announced today. Defending Champion Missouri Valley was the unanimous choice to open the year at No. 1 in the poll.

Bellevue returns 10 of 11 starters off last year's team that was the first to reach the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals. During the 2020-21 season, BU posted a 16-5-2 overall record, won the A.I.I. (will be called the Continental Athletic Conference in 2021) Tournament, and took home title at the NAIA Opening Round – Olathe Bracket.

Among the top returners for the Bruins are a pair of All-Americans in senior midfielder Toby Millward (second team) and senior center back and captain Andy Wilkinson (honorable mention). Also returning is a 2020 All-A.I.I. selection in junior midfielder Zach Robbins.

Georgia Gwinnett was the lone other Continental Athletic Conference program to appear in the poll, coming in at No. 16.

The CAC will send two teams to the NAIA National Tournament in 2021. The winners of the CAC semifinal matches, hosted by GGC Nov. 12-13, will each earn automatic bids to the NAIA Opening Round.

The 2021 NAIA Opening Round tournaments will take place on campus sites, Nov. 18-20 with the Final Site being conducted from Nov. 30-Dec. 6 at a location to be announced at a later date.

Bellevue opens the season on Wednesday, Aug. 18 when they host Graceland University (6-7-1) at 7 p.m. from Papillion Landing.