The United Soccer Coaches pre-season poll has ranked ONU women’s soccer team 8th in the nation.

Northern was tabbed No. 8 in NCAA Division III women's soccer after ending its historic 2017 season with the same ranking. The program reached the eighth spot last season after jumping six positions from No. 14 with the release of the final poll after its first NCAA Division III Elite 8 appearance in school history.

Last season, the team went 20-2-2 and posted an undefeated 9-0-0 record in Ohio Athletic Conference play to capture the conference's tournament and regular season titles.

The season marked the first time in Ohio Northern women's soccer history that a team claimed both crowns in the same year.

Northern is set to open its 2018 season at the Illinois Wesleyan tournament on Sept. 1 and 2. The Polar Bears will open at home on Sept. 8 against Case Western Reserve.