GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence women's soccer team was picked to finish 9^th in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Preseason Poll. The Argos finished with 59 total points.

Eastern Oregon was picked to finish first, receiving nine first-place votes. Three other schools received first-place votes; Oregon Tech (two), College of Idaho and Corban University. Of the schools in Montana, Rocky Mountain College was picked sixth, while Carroll College was picked right ahead of Providence at eighth.

"We have a really strong conference," interim head coach Heather Blandford said. "It's exciting because it's a great opportunity to play great competition, which helps us become better as a team moving forward. Our focus is to continue to improve as a group each and every time we step on the field. Our plan and our hope is that we can get out there and surprise a few people."

This season marks the return to the traditional CCC schedule in which a team will play a match against every team. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last season consisted of an East/West split, with teams only play half of the conference and playing back-to-back games against the same opponent.

"It's more of a traditional schedule and that's what we're used to," Blandford said. "For most of us we're getting back into our comfort zone. We're excited to get to play some competition against some teams that we missed out on last season."

The Argos are coming off an 0-8 record last season. Blandford believes the team was better than their record suggests, and is excited about the hunger and desire to improve upon last season.

"We just want to continue to grow and get better as a team," Blandford said. "That's our focus and our priority this year. We are excited for the season and excited to play some good competition."

The Argos will kick off their season with a pair of scrimmages/exhibition games on the road on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 against Northwest College and Montana State-Billings, respectively. They will open the season with a home game against Carroll College on Sept. 6 at 1:30 p.m.
 

Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. Eastern Oregon University (9)	164
2. Oregon Tech (2)	154
3. College of Idaho (1)	131
4. Corban University (1)	120
5. Northwest University	115
6. Rocky Mountain College	196
7. Southern Oregon University	94
8. Carroll College	91
9. University of Providence	59
10. Warner Pacific University	50
11. The Evergreen State College	38
12. Bushnell University	32
13. Multnomah University	18