By Andrew Korba

The Ohio Northern men's soccer team is ranked No. 5 in the 2013 NSCAA/Continental Tire Men's Division III preseason poll in voting conducted by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The Polar Bears finished last season ranked No. 2 in the poll.

Defending national champion Messiah (Pa.) claimed the top spot, with Loras (Iowa) and Williams (Mass.) rounding out the top three.

Northern has now been nationally ranked in five of the past six seasons.

ONU will open its season on Aug. 30, when it faces Franklin (Ind.) at the Daniel Schuetz Community Classic at 8 pm.

The Polar Bears posted a program best 25-3 record in 2012, won its second straight OAC regular season title and third consecutive OAC tournament championship and finished as the NCAA III Tournament runner-up.