AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific women’s soccer and football teams are ranked in their respective NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Polls which were released by the national office in Olathe, Kan., earlier today.

The women’s soccer program, which is 106-15-10 (.847) since 1998, opens the 2004 campaign ranked No. 5 in the NAIA. The Cougars have appeared in every NAIA Women’s Soccer Poll since Sept. 19, 1997 (65 in a row) and are making their 55th consecutive showing in the Top 10.

The Cougars return 12 players, including 7 starters, from last year’s 13-4-3 team that stretched Azusa Pacific’s string to 6 straight NAIA quarterfinal appearances.

The Azusa Pacific football team, which opened fall camp last week with 103 players, is ranked No. 11 in the NAIA’s initial poll of 2004. The Cougars, who went 8-2 last year and are 17-3 over the past 2 seasons, return 50 players and 11 starters from last year’s team that advanced to the NAIA Playoff Series.

The Cougars open an 11-game gridiron season Saturday, Sept. 4, against the University of San Diego at home at 7 p.m.

The Azusa Pacific men’s soccer and women’s volleyball teams are not listed in their Top 25 Polls but both programs did receive votes.

The NAIA releases the preseason polls for men’s and women’s cross country on Friday, Aug. 27. Both Azusa Pacific programs are expected to be nationally-ranked.

Click here to view the complete list of the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Preseason Polls for football and women’s soccer.