By Jim Henry
Globe Sports Editor
JOPLIN, Mo. —
Building soccer programs is nothing new for Dwight Burgess.
“I started in August of 2000 and took over a men’s program (at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio) that in seven prior years had won 12 of 126 games and lost 62 of 63 in the conference,” he said. “Over the last four years there, we were No. 1 in the conference, nationally ranked, in the NCAA (Division III) Tournament.”
So Missouri Southern’s eighth-place position in the MIAA women’s soccer coaches preseason poll isn’t any big concern to Burgess.
“I’ll be happy to start at No. 8,” said Burgess, the Lions’ new head coach. “You have to earn it. Right now nobody knows me from Adam.
“The opportunity I’ve had thus far in talking to some of the players, the girls are anxious to get started.”
Defending champion Truman State is the preseason favorite, but only five points separate the top three teams in the preseason poll.
The Bulldogs received six first-place votes and 60 total points, and Nebraska-Omaha edged Central Missouri 56-55 for second place. The Jennies received two No. 1 votes, and UNO had one.
The Lions were eighth with 14 points, 14 behind Southwest Baptist and five ahead of Emporia State.
“I know (the MIAA) peripherally,” Burgess said. “I know it’s a deep conference, a very competitive league, and teams out of the conference have had success nationally. I expect Missouri Southern to do that, too, sooner than what a lot of people think.”
The Lions report on Aug. 15, and the first practice is scheduled the next day.
