Oklahoma City, Okla. -- A year after achieving their highest-ever conference of third and winning a school-best 16 games, the Mid-America Christian Lady Evangels have been chosen fifth in the preseason Sooner Athletic Conference coaches poll, announced today. 

With the league's highest scoring duo and top goalkeeper returning this season, the Lady Evangels will look to stake their claim among the conference's elite. 

The defending conference champs Oklahoma City Stars were picked to finish first again after rampaging through an undefeated conference regular season last year.  OCU gained every first-place vote possible in the poll. 

Southern Nazarene was second and garnered the other first-place tally.  Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. 

Rounding out the top five were John Brown, Oklahoma Baptist and MACU. 

The Lady Evangels kick off the 2011 campaign next Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 24) at Southwestern Assemblies of God at 3 p.m. in Waxahachie, Texas.