The Missouri State men’s soccer team has been picked to finish sixth in the 2008 Missouri Valley Conference race. Valley coaches awarded the Bears 11 points in the preseason balloting, released Wednesday, including one first place vote.

Creighton received five first place votes and 35 points total to beat out Evansville (27) for first and second, respectively.  Bradley (20), Drake (19) and Eastern Illinois (14) round out the preseason top-five.

Coach Jon Leamy’s Bears return three seniors and will try to improve on a disappointing, 6-10-4, 2007 season.  The Bears look to surprise The Valley with a young team that is dominated by underclassmen, including 13 freshmen

Missouri State will open its 2008 season on the road against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in tournament play at Drake on Aug. 30 at 5 p.m.