MILWAUKEE – Marian University softball received 206 points to finish the NACC preseason poll in fifth place, as voted on by the sports information directors and head coaches of the league.

Concordia Wisconsin, which won the North Division title under last year’s divisional format but was sidelined by Milwaukee School of Engineering in North Division tournament final, accumulated 315 points and 12 of 26 first-place votes. MSOE, which went on to win the NACC Tournament championship series as well as a couple of games in the NCAA regional, sits second. The Raiders are just nine markers back with 306 points and eight first-place votes.

Aurora University, last year’s South Division regular-season champ, is third with 295 points and four first-place votes, while 2021 South Division tournament champion Benedictine University rounds out the top four with 278 points and the final two first-place votes.

Marian University edged newcomer St. Norbert College, 206-204, for fifth place. Rockford University (176) is seventh, followed by Dominican University (140) in eighth and Lakeland University and Wisconsin Lutheran College (both 124) in a tie for ninth. Concordia University Chicago (117), Edgewood College (55), and Alverno College (26) round out the poll.

Marian opens the season against UW-Stevens Point in Rhinelander, Wis. for a 5 p.m. doubleheader Friday, February 18.

Rank School (1st place votes) Points 2021 Record
1. Concordia Wisconsin (12) 315 31-8, 18-2 NACC North
2. MSOE (8) 306 35-10, 15-5 NACC North
3. Aurora (4) 295 35-7, 18-2 NACC South
4. Benedictine (2) 278 34-14, 17-3 NACC South
5. Marian 206 23-20, 10-10 NACC North
6. St. Norbert 204 18-9, 11-4 Midwest North
7. Rockford 176 23-18, 11-9 NACC South
8. Dominican 140 11-20, 7-13 NACC South
t-9. Lakeland 124 12-23-1, 9-11 NACC North
t-9. Wisconsin Lutheran 124 15-23, 8-12 NACC North
11. Concordia Chicago 117 11-27-1, 6-14 NACC South
12. Edgewood 55 9-31, 1-19 NACC South
13. Alverno 26 1-28, 0-20 NACC South