By Tim Glon

The No. 12-ranked Ohio Northern women's soccer team was picked as the preseason favorites to repeat as Ohio Athletic Conference champions in 2012 in voting conducted by the league's 10 head coaches.

The Polar Bears received 80 points and eight of the 10 first place votes in the coaches poll.

Otterbein was second with 72 points and one first place vote and Capital was third with 64 points and the final first place vote.

The Polar Bears went 16-3-2 overall, won the OAC Regular Season crown with a perfect 9-0-0 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tournament under ninth-year head coach Mark Batman.

Ohio Northern will open its 2012 campaign Aug. 31 at home against Grove City (Pa.) at 3 pm at the ONU Soccer Field.

Women's Coaches Poll

Rank School Points
1. Ohio Northern (8) 80
2. Otterbein (2) 72
3. Capital (1) 64
4. John Carroll 57
5. Baldwin Wallace 50
6. Wilmington 43
7. Heidelberg 32
8. Mount Union 26
9. Marietta 14
10. Muskingum 12