Courtesy of Midland Athletics
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) announced its 2023 Preseason Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll today. Midland University was selected to finish third by the conference coaches, while Hastings College garnered the top spot with a total of 118 points.
The Broncos clinched eight of the twelve first-place votes, after winning the GPAC regular season and tournament titles in 2022. Concordia was picked second with 110 points, with three first-place votes, while Midland was picked third with one first-place vote and 89 points. Morningside and Northwestern round out the top of the 12-team league.
This season, the GPAC men’s soccer schedule will consist of eleven league games between the 12 teams. Waldorf University joins the GPAC as an affiliate member in men’s and women’s soccer in 2023, replacing Presentation College which closed its doors last spring.
“I’m proud of what we have been doing here. I think the GPAC has recognized the improvements being made,” said head coach Josh Nakayama. “We have a lot of work to do and it is only the preseason poll. Everything could change after the first matches. We will be ready and are looking forward to the season.”
Midland’s season starts with a road trip to St. Louis to face Missouri Baptist University and Williams Baptist University. The first match of the year will be with the Spartans on Thursday, August 23 with the tilt against the Eagles on Saturday, August 26.
The Warriors’ home slate gets underway the following week as they host Grand View University on Aug. 30. Rounding out the non-conference games are matches with Graceland University (Sept. 2-away), York University (Sept. 6-home), Missouri Valley College (Sept. 9-away), and Tabor College (Sept. 20-away).
GPAC play gets going the second full week of September with home games against Jamestown (Thu, Sept. 14) and Waldorf (Sat, Sept. 16). For a complete look at the 2023 Men’s Soccer Schedule, click here.
