<p>Coming off a 7-10-1 overall and 5-4 league finish a year ago, Manchester University&rsquo;s 2012 women&rsquo;s soccer squad was picked fifth on the annual Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference coaches&rsquo; preseason poll, released August 7.</p> <p>Coach Andy Stout&rsquo;s Spartans received 60 points, trailing Bluffton by only three for the fourth spot. Defending conference co-champion Hanover was voted the HCAC favorite, earning 96 points and four first-place votes, while Transylvania was right behind in second with 92 points and four first-place votes.</p> <p>MU opens the season Friday and Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, at the Olivet College of Michigan tournament. The Spartans take on in-state rival Trine at 6 p.m. Friday and the host Comets at 6 p.m. Saturday. The complete coaches preseason poll can be viewed at <a href="http://www.heartlandconf.org/sports/wsoc/2012-13/releases/8_7_preseason_poll">http://www.heartlandconf.org/sports/wsoc/2012-13/releases/8_7_preseason_poll</a>.</p>