The Idaho State soccer team was picked to finish sixth by the coaches in the preseason poll that was released by the Big Sky Conference Thursday afternoon. This is the second time in as many seasons that the Bengals have been picked for a sixth place finish. In the poll, coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team.

The Bengals finished the 2014 regular season in fifth place but made a spectacular run deep in the Big Sky tournament. Idaho State lost a hard-fought 2-1 decision to Northern Arizona in the championship match.

The Bengals enter the season with the largest roster to date under Head Coach Allison Gibson. With 14 returners, including World Cup and Pan American Games participant Maria Sanchez, as well as 14 newcomers, the Bengals are looking to fill the gap left by six graduating seniors, most notably the 2014 Big Sky Offensive MVP Amanda Ellsworth.

Northern Arizona edged out Montana for the top spot in the preseason poll. Both teams received 93 points, but NAU snagged five first place votes to Montana's four, earning the Lumberjacks the first place pick.

Portland State was picked to finish third with 74 points, while Weber State was picked fourth, Northern Colorado fifth, Eastern Washington seventh, Sacramento State eighth, Idaho ninth, Southern Utah 10th and North Dakota 11th.

Idaho State opens the 2015 season at home on Friday, August 21 at 4:00 p.m. at Davis Field against Missouri State University. Prior to the first official match, Idaho State will play an alumni game on August 15th at Davis Field at 1:00 p.m.