MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Aug. 7, 2012) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team is receiving votes in the NSCAA National Preseason Poll, the organization announced today.

The Panthers, who finished 19-3 and No. 23 in the country last season, are receiving votes in a national preseason poll for the first time in team history. Milwaukee spent the bulk of last season ranked, cracking the top-10 in the NSCAA poll for the first time ever and peaking at No. 9 in the Soccer America rankings.

In addition to Milwaukee, four UWM opponents have earned preseason rankings. Oklahoma State heads the list at No. 5, while Marquette is No. 16, Illinois No. 19 and South Carolina is ranked 24th.

UWM returns six starters from last season, including all-region selections Jamie Forbes and Helen Steinhauser. The Panthers will also have a new head coach roaming the sidelines in 2012 in Greg Henschel. The 2012 regular season gets underway Aug. 17, when Milwaukee hosts the No. 24 Gamecocks.