KNOXVILLE, Tn- The Royals were voted to finish 12th in the 2022 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll, the conference announced on Wednesday.
Reinhardt edged out Truett McConnell for the top spot in the poll.
The poll was voted on by the women's soccer coaches of the AAC.
Reinhardt picked up 10 first-place votes in amassing 220 voting points, while Truett McConnell garnered the remaining five first-place votes in netting 215 voting points. Reinhardt narrowly defeated Truett McConnell 3-2 in the 2021 AAC Tournament championship match after going 14-0 in conference play to claim the regular-season title.
Montreat and Tennessee Wesleyan each picked up 181 voting points to tie for third, while Point rounds out the top five.
The 2022 AAC Tournament is set to begin with the opening round games on Nov. 1 with the championship match set for Nov. 12. Ten teams advance to the league tournament.
The Royals will look to surprise this season as they look to compete for a spot to advance to the conference tournament.
Here is the complete poll:
2022 AAC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Votes) - Total Voting Points
1. Reinhardt (10) - 220
2. Turett McConnell (5) - 215
T3. Montreat - 181
T3. Tennessee Wesleyan - 181
5. Point - 167
6. Milligan - 151
7. Columbia - 128
8. Bryan - 125
9. Columbia International - 108
10. Brenau - 92
11. St. Andrews - 73
12. Union - 60
13. Kentucky Christian - 40
14. Johnson - 39
15. Bluefield - 20