The Missouri State men’s soccer team has been picked to finish sixth in the 2007 Missouri Valley Conference race. Valley coaches awarded the Bears 21 points in the preseason balloting, including one first place vote.

Creighton received five first place votes and 47 points total to outdistance Bradley (39) for first and second respectively. Eastern Illinois (28), Evansville (27) and Drake (24) round out the preseason top-five, with Western Kentucky (10) selected seventh.

Individually, Bears senior goal keeper Lance Parker and senior defenseman Andy Cooper were voted  preseason honorable mention MVC selections.

Missouri State will open its 2007 season by hosting Centenary College Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Plaster Field.