Marian University women’s ice hockey has been picked sixth in the NCHA preseason poll, as voted on by the head coaches of the league.

Adrian has been picked as the favorite to win the conference after receiving 86 points and eight first-place tallies.  St. Norbert finished in a close second with 79 points and a first-place vote.  Three schools then finished within four points of each led by Lake Forest at 59 points, along with the final first-place vote.  Then came Aurora at 57 points and Concordia Wisconsin was two points behind the Spartans at 55.

Marian followed in seventh with 40 points followed by Trine at 33.  Lawrence and Dubuque finished close together at 21 points and 15 points, respectively.  MSOE, entering their inaugural season, rounded out the poll at five points.

The winner of the NCHA Slaats Cup Playoffs will receive the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Marian opens the season against MSOE at home Friday, November 1 at 3 p.m. in a non-conference game.