Columbus State soccer team ranked in preseason poll

The Columbus State soccer team will start the 2016 season ranked No. 2 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.

The Lady Cougars finished in that same spot in the final poll of 2015 after finishing as the national runner-up to Grand Valley State.

Grand Valley State, which has won the NCAA title three straight years, will start the season ranked No. 1.

CSU plays five teams in the preseason rankings, including a road match against No. 6 Barry.

The Lady Cougars open the season on Sept. 2 against No. 18 North Alabama.

CSU is coming off a 23-3-1 season in which it won its ninth Peach Belt Conference regular-season title and its sixth PBC tournament championship.

This story was originally published August 3, 2016 at 3:14 PM with the headline "Columbus State soccer team ranked in preseason poll."