The Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer team is the preseason favorite to capture a fourth-straight Jayhawk Conference championship, according to the preseason KJCCC Predicted Order of Finish by the leagues’ coaches,  which was released on Monday.

Hutchinson opens the season as a ranked team for the first time, starting No. 9 in the NJCAA Preseason Division I Women’s Soccer poll. The Lady Dragons open the season at 4 p.m. on Tuesday against Neosho County at the USD 308 Athletic Complex on 23rd and Cleveland.

The Lady Dragons won outright KJCCC titles in 2009 and 2010, while they shared the title with Butler last season. Hutchison has also won the last two Region VI championships. HCC has posted a four-year record of 71-7-2. Four of those losses were in the postseason and two losses were forfeited wins from last year.

After Hutchinson, No. 5 Butler, No. 19 Johnson County, Neosho County and Cloud County round out the top five preseason picks. HCC travels to Butler on Oct. 14, while playing host to Johnson County on Sept. 15.

2012 Jayhawk Conference Women’s Soccer Predicted Order of Finish
1. Hutchinson
2. Butler
3. Johnson County
4. Neosho County
5. Cloud County
6. Barton
7. Cowley
8. Dodge City
9. Allen
10. Coffeyville
11. Garden City
12. Pratt
13. Kansas City
14. Independence

(HCC Sports Information)