For Immediate Release
Monday, August 7, 2017
NSIC Media Relations
PDF Release
Minnesota State University, Mankato Selected as Preseason Favorite in NSIC Soccer Coaches’ Poll
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The defending NSIC Tournament Champions of Minnesota State University, Mankato were picked to win the NSIC in the preseason coaches’ poll. This marks the sixth time since joining the NSIC in 2008 that the Mavericks have been picked to win the NSIC. Minnesota State received 11 first place votes and tallied 217 points, ranking them ahead of Augustana (210), which received the other five first place votes. Bemidji State came in third with 188 points while defending NSIC Champions of Minot State was fourth with 187 points.
The 2017 NSIC Soccer Regular Season Champion will be determined by a 15-game league schedule, with a win earning a team three points and a tie one point.
The 2017 NSIC Soccer season will see its first action on Thursday, August 31 as five matches kickoff the season, including an NSIC match between Augustana and Wayne State.
| 2017 NSIC Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| 1. Minnesota State (11) |
217 |
| 2. Augustana (5) |
210 |
| 3. Bemidji State |
188 |
| 4. Minot State |
187 |
| 5. St. Cloud State |
165 |
| 6. Minnesota Duluth |
160 |
| 7. Northern State |
134 |
| 8. Concordia-St. Paul |
119 |
| 9. Upper Iowa |
107 |
| 10. Winona State |
94 |
| 11. Wayne State |
78 |
| 12. UMary |
71 |
| 13. Sioux Falls |
51 |
| 14. Southwest Minnesota State |
50 |
| 15. Minnesota Crookston |
45 |
| 16. MSU Moorhead |
44 |
| first place votes in ( ) |
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#9 Morgan Cottew (F, 5-9, Jr., Minneapolis, Minn. / Washburn HS)
Minnesota State
- Named All-NSIC First Team in 2016
- Named NSCAA and D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team
- Appeared in all 22 matches, including 18 starts for 1,294 minutes played
- Tied for the ninth-most goals in a single season in program history with 15
- Tied for 10th with 36 points
- Moved into 10th place in program history in career goals scored with 24
- Earned NSIC Offensive Player of the Week honors
#3 Kelli Creese (D, 5-9, Sr., La Verne, Calif. / Bonita HS)
Minot State
- Named All-NSIC First Team in 2016
- Started all 20 games for the Beavers
- Named to the NSCAA All-Central Second Team
- Ranked second on the team with 1,757 minutes played
- Recorded five points with one goal and three assists
- Part of the MSU defense which held opponents to an NSIC low seven goals and 0.41 goals per game
- Ranks second in MSU history with 5,422 career minutes, seventh in career goals (69) and eighth in career shots on goal (30)
| Augustana University Vikings |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 13-5-3, 10-2-3 NSIC |
7 |
24 |
4th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| Augustana got off to a slow start last season, but finished the season with a 13-5-3 record, good for fourth in the NSIC, and advanced to the NSIC Tournament Championship game. The Vikings return seven starters from last season’s NSIC Tournament runner-up team and will carry an experienced club into the 2017 season. The Vikings return 13 players who scored at least one goal last season and also return top goal scorer, senior Samantha Tymkowicz, who has 27 career goals. Augustana will be anchored goalie and school wins record holder senior Taylor Machacek and her entire starting defense from last season (senior Hannah Keirstead, senior Brooke Bleeker, junior Rebekah Thoresen and sophomore Grace Bender). The Vikings will also be assisted on defense by the return of 2015 All-Region honoree senior Lauren Brownrigg. Securing the midfield for Augustana will be 2016 first team All-NSIC recipient senior Ellie Knowles. Overall, the Vikings return six All-NSIC honorees from last season’s squad and three NSIC All-Tournament selections. |
| Player to Watch |
#5 Samantha Tymkowicz (F, 5’4”, SR., Sioux City, Iowa / Bishop Heelan HS)
#29 Hannah Keirstead (D, 5’3”, SR., Savage, Minn. / Burnsville HS) |
| First Week |
Thursday, Aug. 31 vs. Wayne State College – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3 vs. Central Missouri – 1 p.m. |
| Bemidji State University Beavers |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 14-5-1, 11-3-1 NSIC |
8 |
23 |
3rd NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| Bemidji State looks to build upon a record-setting 2016 campaign during which it set a program record for wins (14) and finished third in the NSIC standings owning an 11-3-1 mark in league play. Making its eighth consecutive appearance in the NSIC Tournament, BSU posted a 3-1 victory over St. Cloud State University to advance to the semifinal round for the fourth time in school history before being ousted from the tournament by Minnesota State University, Mankato. In his 16th season at BSU, reigning SNIC Coach of the Year, Head Coach Jim Stone returns eight of his top 10 scoring players from a year ago, which includes NSCAA/Continental Tire Women’s NCAA Division II All-Central Region and All-NSIC First Team selection Raquel Thelen as well as All-NSIC Second Team picks Catherine Arneson in goal and Miranda Famestad and anchoring the Beavers’ backline. Thelen scored four goals a year ago and led the team with 12 assists, while Arneson was 8-2-1 with three shutouts as BSU’s primary goalkeeper and Famestad anchored the Beavers’ back line that allowed just 0.90 goals per game and posted seven shutouts, while she accounted for a career-best five goals. |
| Player to Watch |
# 28 Raquel Thelen (F, 5-7, Sr., Andover, Minn. / Andover HS)
# 11 Miranda Famestad (D, 5-9, Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D. / Roosevelt HS) |
| First Week |
Tuesday, Sept. 5 at Minnesota Crookston – 5 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 8 at Michigan Tech – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 10 at Northern Michigan – 2 p.m. |
| Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 5-9-4, 5-6-4 NSIC |
10 |
16 |
10th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
The Golden Bears look to take the next step forward after two straight seasons of near-.500 play in the Northern Sun, going 8-8-1 in 2015 (22 points) to place eighth before last year’s 5-6-4 mark (19 points) to finish in 10th. The Golden Bears finished strong a year ago, winning three of five games down the stretch. The stretch featured three one goal losses to perennial league contenders Minnesota State (0-1), Minot State (0-1) and Winona State (2-3).
League coaches have noticed the upward trend of the CSP soccer program with the eighth place spot in this year’s preseason poll.
Last year’s team was a young roster and seventh year head coach Steve Bellis utilized the team’s ability to gain experience as 17 different players started games and all three goalkeepers were credited with at least one start. Among that group, 10 players return who started at least eight games and the two primary goalies are each back.
The Bears return five of its top six point scorers as well including team scoring leader Jade Weller (4g, 4a) while Jordan Rowan-Stafford was just one shy with 11 (4g, 3a). The young defensive unit is led by sophomore Anna Haub, who started in 14 of the 16 games she appeared in last year as a true freshman.
The roster will be bolstered by eight freshmen and a pair of sophomore transfers and features only two seniors, Shannon Wynne and Kelli Heytens. |
| Player to Watch |
#20 Jordan Rowand-Stafford (F, 5-2, Jr., Oakdale, Minn. / Tartan HS)
#21 Anna Haub (D, 5-7, So., Sycamore, Ill. / Sycamore HS) |
| First Week |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs Maryville – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 vs Lindenwood – 2 p.m. |
| University of Mary Marauders |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 4-10-3, 4-9-2 NSIC |
7 |
17 |
13th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| A young team that features five seniors, the University of Mary returns an impressive 17 players who earned playing time last season. After picking up just one win and a tie in the fist seven games, the Marauders gelled in the second half and went 3-4-1 down the stretch. Much of the improved finish is attributable to UMary’s experienced back line, where senior Elizabeth “Libby” Patterson is a key factor. The Marauders defensive player to watch in 2017, Patterson moved into the starting line up as a freshman and has remained there ever since. The Chanhassen, Minn., native has scored four goals in her career, including two as a sophomore. A pair of junior defenders – Caitlin Dooley and Lisa Swardh – provide additional experience and a strong physical presence. Dooley enters her third year as a starter and Swardh – who scored two goals in 2016, her first season at UMary - is a second year starter. Soph. Tiffany Ohlhauser also is back on defense after starting every game ahe played as a freshman. The offense will be sparked by Caylin Cathey, a junior from Billings, Mont. Cathey, who scored two counters last year and was tied for second on the team in goals, is coming off a big spring offensively. |
| Player to Watch |
#14 Caylin Cathey (F, 5-7, Jr., Billings, Mont. / Skyview HS)
#22 Elizabeth Patterson (D, Sr., 5-6, Sr., Chanhassen, Minn. / Minnetonka HS) |
| First Week |
Sunday, Sept. 3 vs. Minot State - 1 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 8 vs. Colordo Christian in Billings, Mont. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. Black Hills State in Billings, Mont. - 3 p.m. |
| University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 3-13-2, 2-11-2 NSIC |
4 |
12 |
15th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
Minnesota Crookston enters their sixth season under Head Coach Joe Alianiello in 2017. The Golden Eagles will look to get back on track after a down season in 2016 as they finished with a 3-13-2 mark.
The U of M Crookston looks to be led by Lindsey Daml (So., MF, North Pole, Alaska) and Ellie Brettschneider (Sr., D, Lakeville, Minn.). Daml scored two goals and had nine shots on goal as a true freshman in 2016. Brettschneider has been a staple for Minnesota Crookston for her first three years, filling whatever role necessary either as a center back or in the central midfield.
The Golden Eagles return four starters from last season in Daml, Ellie Brettschneider, Nicole Corbin (Sr., D, Ramsey, Minn.) and Madison Korus (R-Jr., D, Arlington, Minn.). Minnesota Crookston will look to added help from several younger players as they have a talented recruiting class coming in and several returning players who will look to fill more prominent roles in 2017. |
| Player to Watch |
#14 Lindsey Daml (M, 5-4, So., North Pole, Alaska / North Pole HS)
#15 Ellie Brettschneider (D, 5-6, Sr., Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville South HS) |
| First Week |
Thursday, Sept. 1 vs. Lindenwood – 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 vs. Maryville – 11 a.m. |
| University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 8-6-5, 6-4-5 NSIC |
8 |
21 |
5th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| The University of Minnesota Duluth turned their record above the .500-mark for the first time since their historic run into the NCAA II Quarterfinals in 2013. The Bulldogs, who bowed out in the first round of the NSIC Tournament, look poised to make a run as one of the top teams in 2017 after a fifth-place finish in the conference with a program-high five draws. UMD returns eight starters including senior striker Skye Finley, junior midfielder Laura Edgren and junior defender Lizzy Fontes who all obtained postseason accolades. Finley paced the team offensively with five goals, four assists for a team-high 14 points and received third team all-conference nods. The Bulldogs had six players score their first collegiate goals in 2016. Junior defender Erika Hjort will continue to be a stalwart along a veteran-filled backline that saw junior Sisley Ng take over full-time goalkeeper duties. Hjort has assumed the starting role, making 31 starts, since she stepped foot on campus in 2015. Seniors Emily Fleissner, Hailey Hoff and Anna Morrison return for their fourth and final seasons along with Finley on an experienced squad of 21 letterwinners. The Bulldogs will have to fill a hole on the offensive end, losing their second leading scorer Kailey Beatt from last season. The 2017 campaign begins Aug. 31 at home against Wisconsin-Parkside. |
| Player to Watch |
#6 Skye Finley (F, 5-3, Sr., Forest Lake, Minn. / Forest Lake HS)
#13 Erika Hjort (D, 5-7, Jr., Pine Springs, Minn. / Mahtomedi HS) |
| First Week |
| Thursday, Aug. 31 vs. Wisconsin-Parkside – 1 p.m. |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 16-3-3, 12-2-1 NSIC |
9 |
23 |
2nd NSIC |
| Team Preview |
The Minnesota State women’s soccer team returns nine starters after finishing the 2016 season with a 16-3-3- record. MSU won its third NSIC Tournament championship in last four seasons and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season.
Junior forward Morgan Cottew returns after leading the Maverick offense with 15 goals and 36 points. Cottew received All-NSIC First Team honors and Central Region honors from both the CCA and the NSCAA. Cottew’s 15 goals tied for second in the NSIC and her 36 points ranked third.
Junior defender Abby Hausken returns after starting in 21 games for the Mavericks last season. Hausken received All-NSIC Second Team honors for her efforts during the regular season. She would later go on to receive NSIC Tournament MVP honors. Hausken also received All-Central Region Second Team honors from the CCA and the NSCAA.
Minnesota State returns nine starters from its 2016 squad, including seven players who played in all 22 games last season. Sophomore midfielder Alesha Duccini finished her freshman season third on the team in points with 22 and tied for second on the team in goals with eight. Senior midfielder Jenny Hoerter played in 18 games last season as finished fourth on the team in points and goals with 17 and six, respectively. |
| Player to Watch |
#9 Morgan Cottew (F, 5-9, Jr., Minneapolis, Minn. / Washburn HS)
#17 Abby Hausken (D, 5-6, Jr., Oakdale, Minn. / North St. Paul HS) |
| First Week |
| Saturday, September 2 vs. Wisconsin-Parkside – 1:00 p.m. |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 3-14, 2-13 NSIC |
7 |
13 |
16th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| MSUM returns seven starters from last year’s team that finished 3-14 in its first season under Coach Christie Kopietz (formerly Chappell). The team graduated four senior starters but returns junior Jessica Dallman, who was third on the team with three points a year ago, and junior Kendall Schauer, who started 16 games at defender last season. Junior Annika Greaney also returns after scoring two goal last season. Senior Reagan VonBerge is back at goalkeeper after stopping 119 shots a year ago. She had two wins and a shutout. |
| Player to Watch |
#11 Jessica Dallman (MF, 5-3, Jr., Grand Forks, N.D. / Red River HS)
#25 Kendall Schauer (D, 5-7, Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo. / Discovery Canyon HS) |
| First Week |
Friday Sept. 1 vs. Drury in Kearney, Neb., 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3 at Nebraska-Kearney, 1:30 p.m. |
| Minot State University Beavers |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 16-3-1, 14-0-1 NSIC |
6 |
19 |
1st NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| Minot State finished first in the NSIC overall standings on its way to the school’s third appearance in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. The Beavers lost to Central Oklahoma, 3-1, in the first round. MISU finished the season tying the school-record 16 wins, going 16-3-1 overall and 14-0-1 in NSIC play. The Beavers will need to replace NSIC Offensive Player of the Year Ninfa Ramirez, who broke the single-season record for points (44) and goals (18) at Minot State. Minot State returns three players on last season’s All-Central Region team. Junior Yesenia Piceno logged a team-leading 1,820 minutes and anchored the stingy MSU defense that allowed just 13 goals in 20 games. Redshirt sophomore Erin Rafferty, named the NSIC Freshman and Goalkeeper of the Year, went 11-3-1 with two shutouts, making 46 saves. Senior defenseman Kelli Creese, All-Central Region Second Team selection, helped lead the defense and recorded a goal and three assists for five points. Creese was selected as Defensive Player to Watch while junior forward Sydnee Canales was tabbed as the Offensive Player to Watch. Canales redshirted last year, but tallied one goal and three assists in the 2015 season. MISU is seeking its fourth national tournament bid if their first six years in Division II. |
| Player to Watch |
#10 Sydnee Canales (F, 5’2, Jr., Manteca, Calif. / Sierra HS)
#3 Kelli Creese (D, 5’9, Sr., La Verne, Calif. / Bonita HS) |
| First Week |
Thursday, Aug. 31 at Black Hills State – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3 at University of Mary – 1 p.m. |
| Northern State University Wolves |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 9-9, 7-8 NSIC |
5 |
15 |
7th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| The Wolves qualified for the NSIC Tournament finishing seventh overall in the league with a 7-8 conference record in 2016. The appearance marks for the first time for NSU since the 2009 season. Northern tallied two NSIC first teamers in Anna Bondy and Darian Leschewski, marking the first duo since 2007. Sydney Shintaffer and Alison Byrd were also named to the All-Conference third and honorable mention teams for the Wolves. Bondy and Leschewski went on to receive NSCAA All-Region third team honors, while Bondy was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America team. She is just the third NSU soccer student-athlete to receive the honor in school history. NSU enters the 2017 season with six seniors and six underclassman who saw significant playing time a season ago. Darian Leschewski and Sydney Shintaffer were named as the Northern State players to watch for the 2017 season. In 2016, Leschewski led the NSU offense in 2016 with a team high 95 shots and 45 shots on goal, and finished second overall in the NSIC for shots and shots per game with an average of 5.28. She tallied nine goals and three assists for a total of 21 points. Shintaffer aided the Wolves defense in 2016, holding opponents to 16.2 shots per game and a shooting percentage of .068. She added 19 shots and three goals, including a game winner in her junior season. The Wolves will open the 2017 season at home with a pair of non-conference games against Black Hills State and Missouri Western. |
| Player to Watch |
#18 Darian Leschewski (MF, 5-5, R-Jr., Cape Coral, Fla. / North Fort Myers HS)
#22 Sydney Shintaffer (D, 5-9, Sr., West Richland, Wash. / Hanford HS) |
| First Week |
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Black Hills State – 3 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 8 vs. Missouri Western – 4 p.m. |
| University of Sioux Falls Cougars |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 3-12-3, 3-10-2 NSIC |
8 |
15 |
14th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| University of Sioux Falls Soccer looks to improve in the NSIC as head coach Brittany Domino enters her third season in charge of the program. USF returns eight starters and 15 letterwinners from a team that posted three wins, two more than in 2015 and an improvement of seven points in the conference standings, finishing 14th at the end of the 2016 season. The Cougars cut their goals allowed nearly in half and return starting goalkeeper Morgan Perkins, who figures to keep that trend continuing after a 1.49 goals against average last season. Tabbed as USF’s defensive player to watch, Perkins ranked in the top 10 of the NSIC in five different categories, including a tie for third with four shutouts during USF’s league play. Joining Perkins as a player to watch is sophomore forward Lauren LaFavre, who found the back of the net twice and dished out three assists for a team-high seven points last season. LaFavre’s 38th minute goal was the game-winner in a 1-0 victory at Concordia-St. Paul last season. Jackie Montes and Chessa Novotny both return after scoring last season and Alexandria Scott notched an assist to round out USF’s point scorers. Honorable mention All-NSIC defender Lily McKown and junior Emma Trittin both started all 18 games last season and anchor a back line that return all but one starter. USF adds five newcomers to their roster who figure to compete for immediate playing time this season. |
| Player to Watch |
#18 Lauren LaFavre (F, 5-6, So., Burnsville, Minn. / Burnsville HS)
#1 Morgan Perkins (GK, 5-7, Jr., Liberty, Mo. / Liberty HS) |
| First Week |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Colorado Christian – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3 vs. Northwest Missouri State – 1 p.m. |
| Southwest Minnesota State University |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 6-11-1, 5-9-1 NSIC |
7 |
15 |
t-11th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
The Mustangs return their top four scorers and goalkeeper from last season as they look to earn a spot in the NSIC tournament after missing last season for the first time in three years.
Senior midfielder Emily Huddleston leads the list of returners after earning third team All-NSIC honors in 2016. She led SMSU a season ago with seven goals and also led the squad with 17 points.
Senior forward Amanda Hartman and sophomore forward Alexandra Miskowiec ranked second on the team with five goals each, while junior midfielder Emily Hofmann tied for fourth on the team with a pair of goals.
Junior Morgan Darner started all 18 games last season and is one of the team’s top defenders. She logged the most minutes last season and registered one goal.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Craigmile started all 18 games last season and posted a 2.07 GAA with one shutout. |
| Player to Watch |
#11 Amanda Hartmann (F, 5-3, Sr., Savage, Minn. / Burnsville HS)
#3 Morgan Darner (D. 5-6, Jr., Harrisburg, S.D. / Harrisburg HS) |
| First Week |
Thursday, Aug. 31 vs Fort Hays State – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 at Washburn – 11 a.m. |
| St. Cloud State University Huskies |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 7-8-4, 6-6-4 NSIC |
8 returning |
16 returning |
6th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| The St. Cloud State University soccer team is poised for success in 2017 thanks to the return of 16 letterwinner. This group includes four of the Huskies’ top five point producers from a 2016 squad that finished with a 6-6-4 record in the always rugged NSIC. St. Cloud State retruns top point scorer and two-time All-NSIC award winner Maria Kass for her junior campaign after leading SCSU with 22 points and nine goals in 2016. Three-time All-NSIC Senior Mackenzie Winters will anchor a strong defensive unit along with sophomore Mia Giorgi, while junior Kelli Santo Paulo will highlight SCSU’s midfield after gaining All-NSIC notice as a sophomore along with senior Sarah Benhart. SCSU head coach Gretta Arvesen, who begins her fourth season with the Huskies in 2017, will also benefit from the return of sophomores Hannah Marion and Brooke Bares. The pair chart seven points and three goals apiece in 2016. The Huskies will kick-off the 2017 season with a 5 p.m. home date against Northern Michigan on Sept. 1 and Michigan Tech on Sept. 3. Of note, Winters, Benhart, junior Maria Witte and senior Sarah Watts have been selected as team captains for St. Cloud State University in 2017. |
| Player to Watch |
#14 Maria Kass (F. 5-3, Jr., Pewaukee, Wis. / Holy Angels HS)
#10 Mackenzie Winters (D, 5-5, SR, Andover, Minn. / Anoka HS) |
| First Week |
Sept. 1 vs. Northern Michigan – 5 p.m.
Sept. 3 at Michigan Tech – 12 p.m. |
| Upper Iowa University Peacocks |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 8-10, 7-8 NSIC |
7 |
18 |
8th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| Upper Iowa heads into its second season under Head Coach James Price in 2017. The Peacocks are coming off an 8-10 overall mark and a 7-8 conference season, which resulted in an eighth-place place finish in the NSIC. UIU earned its sixth trip to the NSIC Women’s Soccer Tournament in the last seven seasons, and throughout the year picked up upset wins over No. 13 Winona State and key wins over Wayne State and St. Cloud State to earn a post-season spot. The team said goodbye to key seniors, but return a core of talent to the roster, including players to watch Birgit Rijnders and Rachel Fowler. Rijnders is the leader in scoring amongst returners, scoring three goals and adding three assists for nine points. She joins Jordyn Ostrowski, Laura Murray, and Corel Carmichael as key returners on offense. Defensively, the Peacocks return senior goalkeeper Caila Petrie, who tallied 97 saves in over 1,620 minutes last season. The back line includes Fowler along with the return of 2015 All-NSIC Honorable Mention performer Mikayla Nassy-Wong, who played just six games last season prior to her season-ending injury. Charlotte Ryan, Mayte Van Hees, Hannah Dotter, Kelsey Hall, and Brittany Beckman also headline returners on the defensive side. In the middle, UIU will see the likes of Gaby Diaz, Maddie North, and Lia Passini return in 2017 as well. |
| Player to Watch |
#19 Birgit Rijnders (M/F, 5’2”, So., Berlaar, Belgium / Instituut Heilig Hart van Maria HS)
#15 Rachel Fowler (D, 5’7”, Sr., Kennoway, Scotland / Buckhaven HS) |
| First Week |
Thursday, Aug. 31 at Washburn – 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Fort Hays State – 2 p.m. |
| Wayne State College Wildcats |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 9-6-3, 6-6-3 NSIC |
6 |
15 |
9th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| Wayne State College is coming off its best season in over a decade as the Wildcats were 9-6-3 last year and just missed making the NSIC Tournament for the first time since 2006 on a tiebreaker going 6-6-3 in league play. The Wildcats are looking to be even better this season as WSC returns its top three scorers and seven of its top eight from last season. Junior midfielder Brooke Buzzell is the team’s top returning scorer with five goals and 11 points followed by juniors Natalie Rech and Carys Hund with four goals each last season. Player to Watch Alexis Strothers, a junior defender, anchors the Wildcat back line after ranking second on the team last season in minutes played (1,609). New head coach Joe Cleary will have a roster with just two seniors (Hannah Knight and Bryana Garcia) and looks for the talented group of 16 juniors and sophomores who have played an extensive amount for the Wildcats to lead the team into the NSIC Tournament. Hund and Rech were both All-NSIC Honorable Mention selections last season. WSC will have to replace three-year starting goalkeeper Kylie Comba and defender Kelsey Engstrom who was a two-time All-NSIC selection and team captain for two years. |
| Player to Watch |
#7 Brooke Buzzell (M, 5-4, Jr., Monument, Colo. / Palmer Ridge HS)
# 15 Alexis Strothers (D, 5-4, Jr., Gurnee, Ill. / Warren Township HS) |
| First Week |
Friday, Aug. 31 at Augustana– 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3 vs Colorado Christian – 11 a.m. |
| Winona State University Warriors |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letter winners |
2016 |
| 8-9-1, 5-9-1 NSIC |
7 |
17 |
t-11th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
After a tough 2016, Winona State will look to rebound this season as they welcome back seven major contributors this season. Abby Bohanski, the Warriors leading scorer from 2016, is back to lead the offense. Courtney Wiencek is also back, she finished last year with 14 points, tied for second on the team. Those two will need some help in 2017, after the team was held to 1.44 goals per game last season, the third lowest in program history.
The Warriors will be young in 2017, with just two seniors on the roster, the same amount as last season. Despite being young, Winona State does returns several players with experience. Seventeen players with experience from last season are back. Of those 17, 15 started at least four matches last year.
Rachel Oleson is back to help patrol the net. Last year she split time with Jordan Valkner, who is also back. Together the two held opponents to 1.44 goals per game and had four shutouts. With several defenders back from 2016, the Warriors look to hold the opponent under 1.00 goals per game, a feat they had done for 12 straight seasons. Last year was just the fourth time in program history that the Warriors allowed over .89 goals per game defensively. |
| Player to Watch |
# 18 Abby Bohanski (F, 5’5, Jr., Plover, Wis./ Stevens Point Area HS)
# 0 Rachel Oleson (GK, 5’8, Sr., Brookfield, Wis. / Brookfield Central) |
| First Week |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs Michigan Tech – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 3 vs Northern Michigan – 12 p.m. |
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