CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the 2020 (Spring 2021) American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches:
| 2020 (Spring 2021) American Rivers Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2019 Record |
| 1. |
Wartburg (6) |
62 |
15-3-3, 6-1-1 A-R-C (A-R-C AQ Tournament Champions) |
| 2. |
Loras (3) |
59 |
13-5, 7-1 A-R-C (Conference Champions) |
| 3. |
Dubuque |
49 |
12-5-2, 4-2-2 A-R-C |
| 4. |
Luther |
41 |
9-9-2, 4-3-1 A-R-C |
| 5. |
Simpson |
34 |
10-4-5, 4-2-2 A-R-C |
| 6. |
Coe |
27 |
8-8-2, 3-4-1 A-R-C |
| 7. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
25 |
12-6, 3-5 A-R-C |
| 8. |
Central |
19 |
6-10-2, 1-6-1 A-R-C |
| 9. |
Buena Vista |
8 |
2-15, 0-8 A-R-C |
The Wartburg College Knights, 2019 A-R-C AQ Tournament Champions, are the coaches' choice to win the 2020 (Spring 2021) American Rivers Conference Women's Soccer title. Wartburg was chosen first on six ballots (coaches do not vote on their own team) and earned 62 points to take the No. 1 ranking in the Coaches Preseason Poll. The 2019 Conference Champions, Loras College were picked second, receiving 59 points and taking three
first-place votes. Dubuque earned 49 points to earn third in the poll and the Luther Norse garnered 41 points as the coaches' pick for fourth-place. Coming in as the fifth-place selection was Simpson College, with 34 points. Coe College rounds out the top six with 27 points. Nebraska Wesleyan finished seventh, Central eighth, and Buena Vista ninth.
United Soccer Coaches/D3soccer.com Preseason Poll: At this time, no rankings have been dropped by United Soccer Coaches. To end the 2019 season, the Wartburg Knights were receiving votes from both United Soccer Coaches and D3soccer.com. The Loras College Duhawks were receiving votes from D3soccer.com to wrap up the 2019 season.
New Coaches:
Eric Struble, Coe College. Struble comes to Coe College from fellow Division III institution Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia where he led the Scotties to the conference tournament all three years there. He also served time as an assistant coach at Sweet Briar College (2012-15) and Smith College (2015-17). Struble is a graduate of Randolph College in Lynchburg, Viriginia where he was a four-year starter for the Wildcats.
Hollie Gray III, Luther College. Luther College alum (2015), Hollie Gray III, returns to Decorah to take over the head coaching duties for the Norse entering the 2020 season this spring. After graduating from Luther, Gray joined the men's coaching staff for three years as an assistant coach before accepting the assistant coach position at Shattuck-St. Mary's (Minn.), from where he returned to Luther from.
The Schedule: Due to NCAA Board of Governors announcement on August 11, 2020, which put new mandates in its “Resocialization of Collegiate Sport” plan, the American Rivers Conference Presidents Council postponed four sports from the fall to the spring semester. Those sports are football, women’s and men’s soccer, and volleyball.
A full conference round-robin is planned in women's soccer, with member institutions having discretion around non-conference competition. Due to the NCAA's cancellation of fall championships and no spring make-up, there will be no Conference Automatic Qualifier Tournament this year.
Only the University of Dubuque Spartans have participated in non-conference play prior to the conference season commencing. The Spartans opened the 2020 season this spring on the road at Benedictine (Ill.) out of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) on Tuesday, March 11 as Dubuque came out on top 3-1. Dubuque then faced Concordia-Chicago on Wednesday, March 24 in Dubuque and dominated the entire match, winning 6-0.
The conference slate kicks off this Saturday, March 27 with four matches on the schedule. Nebraska Wesleyan hits the road to Dubuque to take on the Duhawks of Loras College for an 11:00a.m. kick to start the 2020 A-R-C season. At 1:00p.m., Dubuque travels to Indianola to face Simpson, Wartburg faces off with Buena Vista in Storm Lake, and the Coe College Kohawks travels to Pella for a clash with the Central College Dutch.
| 1st |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Tiffany Pins (10th season, 110-49-26)
2019 Record: 15-3-3, 6-1-1 A-R-C
2019 Conference Finish: 2nd & Tournament Champion
2019 NCAA Tournament: First Round - defeated Concordia (Wis.) 4-0, Second Round - lost to Pomona-Pizter (Calif.) 1-0
Returning All-Conference: Sarah Campbell (2019 All-Conference, D, Jr.), Gabby Corday (2019 All-Conference, MF, So.), Kate Luers (2019 All-Conference, MF, Jr.), Hailey Osburn (2019 All-Conference, D, Jr.), Joy Smith (2019 All-Conference, F, Jr.), Emily Fontana (2019 Honorable Mention, MF/F, Sr.)
Starters Returning: 8
Starters Lost: 3
Tiffany Pins - “We are so excited to have the opportunity to compete. We greatly appreciate the commitment Wartburg and the A-R-C has had in creating a season for us. It has not been an easy year, but I am so proud of how this team has handled this unprecedented time. The conference will be extremely strong and we are looking forward to a competitive season." |
| Players to Watch (Returners Only) |
|
| Sarah Campbell - D (Jr.) |
21-games started // 3-goals // 10-assists // .625-SOG% // 1-game winner |
| Hailey Osburn - D (Jr.) |
21-games started // 4-goals // 1-assist // .524-SOG% // 1-game winner |
| Gabby Corday - MF (So.) |
21-games started // 2-goals // 3-assists // .615-SOG% |
| Kate Luers - MF (Jr.) |
21-games started // 14-goals // 5-assists // .554-SOG% // 4-game winners |
| Joy Smith - F (Jr.) |
21-games started // 11-goals // 7-assists // .571-SOG% // 4-game winners |
| Emily Fontana - F (Sr.) |
21-games played // 2-goals // 3-assists // 23-SOG // 2-game winners |
| 2nd |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Matt Pucci (5th season, 57-15-6)
2019 Record: 13-5, 7-1 A-R-C
2019 Conference Finish: 1st
Returning All-Conference: Brynn Jacobi (2019 Offensive MVP, F, Sr.), Kiki Cabrera (2019 All-Conference, D, Sr.), Ryleigh O'Brien (2019 All-Conference, F, Jr.), Payton McDonnell (2019 All-Conference, MF, So.), Abby Eriksen (2019 All-Conference, F, So.)
Starters Returning: 7
Starters Lost: 4
Matt Pucci - “We are so excited and thankful to have the opportunity to compete this spring and get some games in before we gear up for the fall season." |
| Players to Watch (Returners Only) |
|
| Brynn Jacobi - F (Sr.) |
18-games started // 11-goals // 5-assists // 25-SOG // .472-SOG% // 3-game winners |
| Kiki Cabrera - D (Sr.) |
17-games started // 3-goals // 1-assist // .524-SOG% // 1-game winner |
| Ryleigh O'Brien - F (Jr.) |
18-games started // 9-goals // 6-assists // .618-SOG% // 3-game winners |
| Payton McDonnell - MF (So.) |
18-games started // 5-goals // 15-assists // .574-SOG |
| Abby Eriksen - F (So.) |
18-games played // 8-goals // 3-assists // .545-SOG% // 3-game winners |
| 3rd |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Jason Berna (20th season, 204-137-27)
2019 Record: 12-5-2, 4-3-2 A-R-C
2019 Conference Finish: t-3rd
Returning All-Conference: Tori Roethler (2019 All-Conference, GK, Sr.), Carissa Brown (2019 All-Conference, D, Sr.), Brooke Brodzinski (2019 All-Conference, F, So.)
Starters Returning: 9
Starters Lost: 2
Jason Berna - “Really excited to be playing this Spring!! It has been an uphill battle with Covid to get to this point, so I am really looking forward to a competitive A-R-C spring season!!" |
| Players to Watch (Returners Only) |
|
| Carissa Brown - D (Sr.) |
19-games started // 1-goal // 1-assist |
| Brooke Brodzinski - F (So.) |
18-games started // 6-goal // 2-assists // 31-SOG // 2-game winners |
| Tori Roethler - GK (Sr.) |
12-5 record // 1.06-goals against average // 67-saves // .770-save% // 8-shutouts |
| Molly Schiltz - MF (Jr.) |
17-games started // 2-goals // 2-assists // 10-SOG |
| Mary Herra - MF (Jr.) |
18-games played // 6-shots |
| 4th |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Hollie Gray III (1st season)
2019 Record: 9-9-2, 4-3-1 A-R-C
2019 Conference Finish: 5th
Returning All-Conference: None
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 6
Hollie Gray III - “As a coach, I am excited about the pieces we have in this team, and we are excited to be back and competing again after all that has happened since we were last able to play." |
| Players to Watch (Returners Only) |
|
| Megan Munger - MF (Jr.) |
15-games started // 3-goals // 4-assists // .526-SOG% // 1-game winner |
| Ella Smith - D (So.) |
12-games started // 1-goal // .500-SOG% |
| Kennedy Bergren - GK (Sr.) |
20-games started // 1.43-GAA // 106-saves // .785-save% |
| 5th |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Jeremy Reinert (3rd Season, 14-16-5)
2019 Record: 10-4-5, 4-2-2 A-R-C
2019 Conference Finish: t-3rd
Returning All-Conference: Megan Roberts (2019 Honorable Mention, F, So.), Brooklin Froehlich (2019 Honorable Mention, D, So.)
Starters Returning: 8
Starters Lost: 3
Jeremy Reinert - “We can't wait for the chance to compete for a conference championship. Athletes at all our schools have put in the work and sacrificed so much, they deserve this opportunity, and I am truly excited to see the competition of those efforts this spring." |
| Players to Watch (Returners Only) |
|
| Megan Roberts - F (So.) |
16-games started // 6-goals // .521-SOG% |
| Madi Strecker - MF/D (Sr.) |
15-games started // 2-goals // 2-assists // .707-SOG% // 1-game winner |
| Kaitlyn Bravek - MF (Sr.) |
19-games started // 2-goals // 3-assists // 1-game winner |
| Abby Cozzoni - D (So.) |
14-games started // 1-assist |
| Brooklin Froehlich - D (So.) |
19-games played // 17-games started |
| 6th |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: Eric Struble (1st season)
2019 Record: 8-8-1 overall, 3-4-1 A-R-C
2019 Conference Finish: 6th
Returning All-Conference: Sydney Schroder (2019 All-Conference, F, Sr.), Carlin Morsch (2019 Honorable Mention, MF, Jr.)
Starters Returning: 9
Starters Lost: 2
Eric Struble - “We have a great group of returning players as well as a very strong class of first year players joining us this year. We're just incredibly excited to finally be back out on the field and let the team show what they're capable of once again." |
| Players to Watch (Returners Only) |
|
| Sydney Schroder - F (Sr.) |
18-games started // 8-goals // 8-assists // .640-SOG% // 1-game winner |
| Carlin Morsch - MF (Jr.) |
18-games started // 6-shots // .667-SOG% |
| Sam Eyers - MF (Jr.) |
13-games started // 2-assists // 5-shots |
| Teresa Knudson - D (Sr.) |
18-games started // 3-SOG |
| 7th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Jen Dyson (3rd season, 20-14)
2019 Record: 12-6
2019 Conference Finish: 7th
Returning All-Conference: Suzie McDonald (2019 Honorable Mention, MF/D, Sr.)
Starters Returning: 9
Starters Lost: 2
Jen Dyson - “I could not be more excited to step on the field with this group of women. I am incredibly thankful for all of the hard work that went into making this happen for our student-athletes and the opportunity for them to have the opportunity to play. I look forward to the great competition of the American Rivers Conference teams are sure to provide!” |
| Players to Watch (Returners Only) |
|
| Suzie McDonald - MF/D (Sr.) |
18-games started // 3-goals // 1-assist // .579-SOG% // 2-game winners |
| Jenna DeJonge - MF/D (Sr.) |
12-games started // 2-goals // 4-assists // 1-game winner |
| Christina Oleartchick - MF (Jr.) |
18-games played // 1-goal // 1-assist |
| 8th |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Michael Kobylinski (10th season, 99-52-18)
2019 Record: 6-10-2, 1-6-1 A-R-C
2019 Conference Finish: 8th
Returning All-Conference: None
Starters Returning: 6
Starters Lost: 5
Michael Kobylinski- “We are excited to compete in one of the toughest leagues in Division III women's soccer. We feel that we have recruited very well this past year and that our returning players have put in the work and have put a premium on what makes us Central College Women's Soccer." |
| Players to Watch (Returners Only) |
| Katie Wang - F (Sr.) |
17-games played // 2-goals // 6-SOG // .545-SOG% |
| Bridget Lynch - MF (So.) |
13-games started // 1-goal // 7-SOG |
| Alyssa Knuth - D (So.) |
17-games started // 1,399-minutes // 1-goal // 7-shots |
| Sydney Canney - D (Jr.) |
1-game played // 35-minutes // 1-shot |
| Jacie Borman - F/MF (So.) |
16-games started // 9-assists // 36-SOG // 2-game winners |
| 9th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Benton Frayne (2nd season, 2-15)
2019 Record: 2-15 overall, 0-8 A-R-C
2019 Conference Finish: 9th
Returning All-Conference: None
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 6
Benton Frayne - “We want to use this spring season as an opportunity to grow and improve from last season. This is a great opportunity to play the game and develop our young players." |
| Players to Watch (Returners Only) |
|
| McKeely Tjaden - Jr. (GK) |
17-17 games started // 2 shutouts // 195-saves |
| Nikki Schuppan - MF (Jr.) |
17-17 games played // 2 assists |
| Tobi Brich - D/MF (Jr.) |
17-17 games played |
