INDIANAPOLIS - The two-time defending Mid-Central College Conference champion Marian University women's soccer team opens the season with their first preseason ranking, the national office announced on Tuesday.

The Knights open the season as the No. 16-ranked team in the NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll after winning back-to-back regular season titles. The ranking is the same as the final poll of last season.

The Knights received 288 votes in the preseason poll after a 17-2-1 season in 2009 that culminated in a 7-1 conference record and their second MCC title. Indiana Wesleyan University, which the Knights defeated 1-0 on the road last season, opens the season ranked 10th in the nation.

Two-time MCC Coach of the Year Kurt Guldner and the Knights open the season on Saturday when they take on the alumni in the annual Alumni Match at St.Vincent Health Field. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff.