By Tim Glon
ADA — The Ohio Northern women's soccer team is ranked No. 12 in the 2012 Continental Tire/NSCAA Women's Division III preseason poll in voting conducted by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
The Polar Bears were ranked No. 13 in the final 2011 NSCAA poll.
Messiah (Pa.) is ranked No. 1 after winning the 2011 NCAA III Tournament crown, William Smith (N.Y.) is second and Messiah (Pa.) was third.
Northern will open its 2012 campaign at home against Grove City (Pa.) on Aug. 31 at 4 pm and will host No. 17-ranked Case Western Reserve on Sept. 2 at 1 pm at the ONU Soccer Field.