CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the 2018 American Rivers Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2018 American Rivers Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2017 Record |
| 1. |
Loras (7) |
62 |
15-2-3, 6-0-2 Conference (Conference Regular Season & Tournament Champion) |
| 2. |
Dubuque |
50 |
9-4-4, 5-1-2 Conference |
| 3. |
Central |
48 |
14-2-3, 5-1-2 Conference |
| 4. |
Wartburg (1) |
47 |
10-6-4, 4-1-3 Conference |
| 5. |
Coe |
37 |
12-4-3, 4-3-1 Conference |
| 6. |
Luther (1) |
33 |
7-10-2, 4-4 Conference |
| 7. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
24 |
5-11-1, 2-6 Conference |
| 8. |
Simpson |
13 |
4-14, 1-7 Conference |
| 9. |
Buena Vista |
10 |
2-15-1, 0-8 Conference |
Loras Women's Soccer, 2017 conference regular season and tournament champions, are the coaches' choice to win the 2018 American Rivers Conference Women's Soccer title. Loras was chosen first on seven ballots (coaches do not vote on their own team) and earned 62 points to take the No. 1 ranking in the Coaches Preseason Poll. 2017 conference runner-up, University of Dubuque was picked second, receiving 50 points. Central College earned 48 points to take third in the poll, which is where the Dutch finished their 2017 campaign and the Knights of Wartburg College garnered 47 points as the coaches' pick for fourth-place. The Knights also received one first-place vote. Coming in as the fifth-place selection was Coe, with 37 points. Luther rounds out the top six with 33 points and one first-place vote. If the preseason poll determined a berth to the conference tournament, these six teams would make up the field. Nebraska Wesleyan in seventh, Simpson in eighth, and Buena Vista in ninth will look to climb their way into this year's conference tournament field.
United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll (Formerly the NSCAA): Loras College is ranked 22nd in the United Soccer Coaches Division III Women's Soccer Top 25 Preseason Poll.
New Coaches:
Jeremy Reinert, Simpson College. Reinert graduated from Simpson in 2013 with a degree in sports administration. He was a four-year letter winner for the Storm, earning Second Team All- Conference honors as a junior in 2011. Prior to assuming his new role, Reinert served as the head girls soccer coach at Indianola High School and was an assistant for the Simpson men in the fall of 2017.
Jen Dyson, Nebraska Wesleyan University. Dyson comes to Nebraska Wesleyan from Westminster College where she has served as head women's soccer coach since 2009. Dyson played collegiately at Drury University appearing in 73 matches during her career. She graduated in 2006 with a degree in Psychology.
The Schedule: Buena Vista, Dubuque, Loras, Nebraska Wesleyan, Simpson, and Wartburg kick off the 2018 season on Friday, August 31st. The Beavers are set to host Concordia College (Minn.) out of the MIAC and the WIAC's UW-Eau Claire will travel to the University of Dubuque. Washington University in St. Louis, a member of the UAA with square off with Loras at the Rock Bowl in Dubuque, Iowa. The Prairie Wolves open the season with a home match against Doane University. The SLIAC's Westminster College (Mo.) heads north to face Simpson and Wartburg travels to the MIAC's Macalester for game one of 2018.
Saturday, September 1st will see Central hosting Albion (Mich.) out of the MIAA and Coe traveling to Midwest Conference member, Grinnell. Luther takes to the pitch for the first time on Sunday, September 2nd. The Norse will play at the College of St. Scholastica, a member of the UMAC.
The eight-game round robin American Rivers Conference schedule begins on Saturday, September 22nd with four games. Wartburg will travel to Coe for the opening of league play, while Central will host Simpson, Luther will play at Nebraska Wesleyan, and Dubuque will host cross-town rival Loras. Buena Vista debuts in league action on Saturday, September 29th with a road trip to Luther.
Conference Tournament: At the conclusion of the regular season conference schedule, the top six teams move onto the 2018 conference tournament. The tournament begins Saturday, October 27th with the 4/5 seeds and the 3/6 seeds meeting at the higher seeded home pitch. On Wednesday, October 31st the winner of the 4/5 opening round game will travel to the No.1 seed, while the 3/6 winner will make the trip to the No. 2 seed. The semifinal winners will face-off on Saturday, November 3rd (at higher seed home venue) for the tournament title and the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
| 1st |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Matt Pucci
2017 Record: 15-2-3, 6-0-2 Conference
2017 Conference Finish: Conference Regular Season & Tournament Champion
Returning All-Conference: Elizabeth Mills (First Team), Gretchen Schutz (First Team), Brynn Jacobi (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 6
Matt Pucci - “This might be the strongest the Conference has ever been. 2018 Will be an exciting season, and anyone can win it.” |
| Players to Watch: |
| Kaylee Coble - GK (Jr.) |
15-2-3 // .88-GAA // 81-saves // 4-shutouts |
| Elizabeth Mills - F (Sr.) |
20-20 games started // 13-goals // 7-assists // 33-points // 6-game winners |
| Brynn Jacobi - M/F (So.) |
6-20 games started // 4-goals // 3-assists // 11-points // .500-SOG% |
| Gretchen Schutz - F (R-Sr.) |
20-20 games started // 7-goals // 14-assists // 28-ponts // 2-game winners |
| Taylor Trovato - D/M (Jr.) |
1-goal // 1-assist // 3-points // Team GAA-.85 |
| 2nd |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Jason Berna
2017 Record: 9-4-4, 5-1-2 Conference
2017 Conference Finish: 2nd
Returning All-Conference: Carissa Brown (Defensive MVP), Lauren Cangelosi (First Team), Victoria Roethler (First Team), Olivia Sullivan (First Team), Alexa Martin (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 11
Starters Lost: 0
Jason Berna - “This will be another great year for the highly competitive American Rivers Conference. I think several teams could make a run at the top spot and should be an exciting season overall. Look for a big year from our two returning all-conference seniors, Lauren Cangelosi and Lexus Rose to help in the attack. Our abilities to defend and be in every game last year was our strength lead by our back line of Olivia Sullivan, Alexa Martin, and Carissa Brown, along with Tori Roethler in goal.” |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Carissa Brown - D (So.) |
DMVP // 17-17 games started // Team GAA-.82 |
| Lauren Cangelosi - F (Sr.) |
17-17 games started // 3-goals / 10-assists // 16-points // 2-game winners |
| Alexa Martin - D/M (Jr.) |
17-17 games started // 1-assist // Team GAA-.82 |
| Victoria Roethler - GK (So.) |
6-3-3 record // .56-GAA // 73-saves // 8-shutouts |
| Olivia Sullivan - D (Sr.) |
15-15 games started // 3-goals // 6-points // 1-game winner |
| Amanda Chlebek - M (Jr.) |
16-16 games started // 3-goals // 6-points // 1-game winner |
| Lexus Rose - M (Sr.) |
10-14 games started // 4-goals // 1-assist // 9-points // 2-game winners |
| 3rd |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Mike Kobylinksi
2017 Record: 14-2-3, 5-1-2 Conference
2017 Conference Finish: 3rd
Returning All-Conference: Erin Manion (First Team), Olivia Denham (First Team), Elise Askelsen (Honorable Mention), Taylor Golt (Honorable Mention), Lauryn Kramer (Honorable Mention), Lauren Vahlkamp (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 6
Starters Lost: 5
Mike Kobylinksi - “The Conference will once again be one of the most competitive conferences around. I feel any given team can win on any given day as the parody in this league is unbelievable. We are hoping to be a contender in this league and we will continue to have very high goals for our program.” |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Elise Askelsen - M/F (Sr.) |
18-19 games started // 6-goals // 3-assists // 15-points // .650-SOG% |
| Olivia Denham - F/M (Sr.) |
18-19 games started // 4-goals // 4-assists // 12-points // .419-SOG% |
| Taylor Golt - GK (So.) |
18-18 games started // 12-2-3 record // .70-GAA // 34-saves // 6-shutouts |
| Lauryn Kramer - M/F (Sr.) |
17-19 games started // 2-goals // .571-SOG% |
| Erin Manion - F (Jr..) |
19-19 games started // 13-goals // 4-assists // 30-points // .442-SOG% |
| Lauren Vahlkamp - F/M (Sr.) |
19-19 games started // 7-goals // 7-assists // 21-points // .490-SOG% |
| 4th |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Tiffany Pins
2017 Record: 10-6-4, 4-1-3 Conference
2017 Conference Finish: 4th
Returning All-Conference: Nicole Adair (Honorable Mention), Zoey Campbell (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 8
Starters Lost: 3
Tiffany Pins - “We are excited for the 2018 season. The Conference will be strong from top to bottom. We are looking forward to competitive conference season." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Nicole Adair - F (Sr.) |
20-20 games started // 6-goals // 1-assist // 13-points // .593-SOG% |
| Zoey Campbell - D (Jr.) |
19-19 games started // Team GAA-1.10 |
| Molly Close - M (So.) |
20-20 games started // 3-goals // 1-assist // 7-points // .412-SOG% |
| Alyssa Drewelow - F (Sr.) |
2-goals // 4-assists // 8-points // .417-SOG% |
| 5th |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: Michael Prunty
2017 Record: 12-4-3, 4-3-1 Conference
2017 Conference Finish: 5th
Returning All-Conference: Ashlyn Moos (First Team), Sydney Schroder (First Team), Lizzy Ward (First Team), Shalyn Kinney (Honorable Mention), Morgan Petsche (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 8
Starters Lost: 3
Michael Prunty - “We are excited to compete in a very tough American Rivers Conference this fall.” |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Ashlyn Moos - F (Sr.) |
19-19 games started // 10-goals // 3-assists // 23-points // .614-SOG% |
| Morgan Petsche - M (Jr.) |
18-18 games started // 4-goals // 4-assists // 12-points // .487-SOG% |
| Sydney Schroder - F (So.) |
19-19 games started // 10-goals // 14-assists // 34-points // .516-SOG% |
| Allison Stubbs - M/D (Sr.) |
16-16 games started // 1-goal // 1-assists // Team GAA-.8 |
| Lizzy Ward - D (Jr.) |
17-17 games started // Team GAA-.8 |
| 6th |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Russ Shouweiler (2016 IIAC Coach of the Year)
2017 Record: 7-10-2, 4-4 Conference
2017 Conference Finish: 6th
Returning All-Conference: Hannah Christopher (First Team), Maggie Anderson (First Team), Marta Springer (First Team), Sommer Stevens (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 3
Starters Lost: 8
Russ Shouweiler - “The Conference is growing in strength, parody and reputation. Look no further than last year's playoffs and the number of teams we have competing for NCAA Tournament berths. We expect another tough and exciting year in the conference." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Maggie Anderson - M (Jr.) |
19-19 games started // 4-goals // 2-assists // 10-points // .609-SOG% |
| Hanna Christopher - M (Sr.) |
19-19 games started // 1-goal // 1-assist |
| Marta Springer - M (Sr.) |
19-19 games started // 2-goals // .508-SOG% |
| Sommer Stevens - M (Sr.) |
19-19 games started // 7-SOG // Team GAA-1.63 |
| 7th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Jen Dyson
2017 Record: 5-11-1, 2-6 Conference
2017 Conference Finish: 7th
Returning All-Conference: Jenna DeJonge (Honorable Mention), Kaitlyn Sullivan (Honorable Mention), Raissa Souza (Honorable Mention)
Jen Dyson - “I am incredibly excited about the upcoming season and being a part of such a great program in Nebraska Wesleyan University. I am looking forward to working with a highly disciplined and talented group of ladies who have such a high regard and love for the game." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Jenna DeJonge - D (So.) |
16-16 games started // 1-assist // Team GAA-1.88 |
| Raissa Souza - M (Sr.) |
11-17 games started // 7-goals // 3-assists // 17-points // .577-SOG% |
| Kaitlyn Sullivan - M (Jr.) |
16-16 games started // 4-goals // 1-assist // 9-points // .593-SOG% |
| 8th |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Jeremy Reinert
2017 Record: 4-14, 1-7 Conference
2017 Conference Finish: 8th
Returning All-Conference: Dani Marquez (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 6
Starters Lost: 5
Jeremy Reinert - “The conference looks to generate a year as competitive and exciting as any. All nine teams will be jostling for a spot in the top six which will undoubtedly lead to an eventful conference season and tournament!” |
| Players to Watch: |
| Dani Marquez - F (Jr.) |
3-goals // 2-assists // 8-points // .750-SOG% |
| Jessica Payne - M (Jr.) |
6-8 games started // Team GAA-2.43 |
| Aimee Shrock - M (Jr.) |
8-8 games started // 1-assist |
| Madison Strecker - D (So.) |
5-5 games started // Team GAA-2.43 |
| 9th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Sheena Van Roekel
2017 Record: 2-15-1, 0-8 Conference
2017 Conference Finish: 9th
Returning All-Conference: Ella Wiebush (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 7
Starters Lost: 4
Sheena Van Roekel - “This will be another exciting season to watch for the American Rivers Conference soccer programs. There’s an opportunity for all to continue to push the envelope and others to see what they’re capable of. This year, our team dynamic has grown substantially, and these ladies know there’s a promise in tomorrow with what the season will bring. We’re excited to get things rolling." |
| Players to Watch: |
|
| Ella Wiebush - D (Jr.) |
18-18 games started // Team GAA-3.12 |
| Val Cota - D (Sr.) |
17-18 games started // Team GAA-3.12 |
| Rachel Tice - F (Sr.) |
2-goals // 2-assists // 6-points // 1-game winner |
| McKinzie Tjaden - M (Jr.) |
12-18 games started // 1-goal |
| McKenna Whitehill - M (Sr.) |
8-15 games started // 9-shots |
