With the start to its title defense less than a week away, Elmira has been voted the No. 1 team in the country in the USCHO preseason poll released om Monday afternoon.
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The Soaring Eagles received eight of a possible 15 first-place votes for a total of 139 points, outpacing rival Plattsburgh State, who received the other seven first-place votes, by two points.
After finishing last season with an overall record of 27-2-1, Gustavus Adolphus will enter the season ranked fourth.
Last season, the Gusties advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament before being knocked off by Elmira in overtime by the final score of 4-3. The following afternoon, Gustavus lost to Plattsburgh State 4-0 to finish fourth in the country.
The 2013-14 preseason poll reflects the final standings from a year ago as each of the four teams to reach the semifinals last season are ranked in the top four spots. Plattsburgh ranks behind the Soaring Eagles at No. 2. Middlebury got the nod for the No. 3 slot in front of Gustavus, who is the only MIAC team in the preseason top 10.
