Mavs Picked Seventh in Summit Preseason Poll
Aug 11, 2016 | Women's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's soccer team was picked to finish seventh in the 2016 Summit League Preseason Poll, the conference office announced Thursday afternoon. The poll was voted on by the league's head coaches.
North Dakota State was the favorite to win the Summit League, garnering seven first-place votes for 63 points. South Dakota State was second and received two first-place votes for 56 points, while Oral Roberts earned 49 points for third. Denver came in fourth with 45 points, followed by South Dakota (35) in fifth and IUPUI (26) in sixth. Omaha was seventh in the poll with 24 points, while Fort Wayne (18) and Western Illinois (8) rounded it out in eight and ninth place, respectively.
The Mavericks open with a four-game homestand at Caniglia Field, welcoming UMKC on Friday, Aug. 19, Creighton on Friday, Aug. 26, North Dakota on Sunday, Aug. 28 and Kansas State on Sunday, Sept. 5.
2016 Summit League Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
|
Rank |
School |
Points (1st) |
2015 Record (SL) |
|
1. |
North Dakota State |
63 (7) |
13-6-1 (7-0-1, 22 pts.) |
|
2. |
South Dakota State |
56 (2) |
12-6-3 (5-1-2, 17 pts.) |
|
3. |
Oral Roberts |
49 |
10-8-2 (6-2-0, 18 pts.) |
|
4. |
Denver |
45 |
4-12-1 (4-4-0, 12 pts.) |
|
5. |
South Dakota |
35 |
8-12-0 (5-3-0, 15 pts.) |
|
6. |
IUPUI |
26 |
6-9-3 (1-5-2, 5 pts.) |
|
7. |
Omaha |
24 |
5-11-2 (2-6-0, 6 pts.) |
|
8. |
Fort Wayne |
18 |
4-13-2 (2-5-1, 7 pts.) |
|
9. |
Western Illinois |
8 |
2-15-0 (1-7-0, 3 pts.) |
Summit League Women's Soccer Preseason Notes
- NDSU returns a league-best three first team All-Summit League selections – defender Natalie Fenske, forward Lauren Miller and midfielder Amy Yang. Miller is the league's active career leader with 37 goals, leading the league with 18 last season. The Bison will also bring back three All-Freshmen Team selections, highlighted by 2015 Freshman of the Year Britney Monteon.
- SDSU, who defeated the Bison in The Summit League championship match last season, bring back all-league first team selection midfielder Tori Poole and second team honoree goalkeeper Nicole Inskeep. Inskeep led the league in 2015 with a 1.06 goals-against average.
- ORU qualified for the Summit League tournament for the first time since 2007 last season. Golden Eagles striker Brittney Lawrence returns for her senior season after leading her team with 10 goals and earning first team all-league honors.
- Denver failed to qualify for the league championship for the first time since joining The Summit League. The Pioneers do retain two second team all-league selections in defender Cristiana Behnken and forward Karina Fredette.
- South Dakota clinched its first-ever berth into the league tournament in 2015. The Coyotes are led by senior forward Corey Strang, who was third in the league with 11 goals last season.
- IUPUI forward Krissy Kirkhoff led the Jaguars in both goals (12) and assists (8) to rank second in The Summit League in points (32) last season. The first team all-league selection is back for her junior season for the Jags.
Summit League Women's Soccer Schedule Notes
- The 2016 season officially begins Aug. 19 with the league schedule kicking off Sept. 30.
- The season-opening weekend slate will feature Summit League teams facing off against 10 different conferences, including one Power 5 school (SDSU vs Iowa State).
- NDSU will host SDSU on Oct. 16 in a rematch of last season's championship match.
- The top four regular-season finishers will qualify for The Summit League Women's Soccer Championship, held in Fargo, N.D., Nov. 3-5.
Players to Watch
Francesca Garzelloni, Denver - M, Jr.
- 10 career goals and six career assists
- 2013 and 2014 First Team All-Summit League
- 2013 and 2014 Summit League All-Tournament Team
Kiley Dunning, Fort Wayne - GK, Sr.
- Led league in 2015 with 137 saves
- Third in league with .806 save percentage
- Three clean sheets in 2015
Krissy Kirkhoff, IUPUI - F, Jr.
- 2015 First Team All-Summit League
- Second in league with 12 goals last season
- IUPUI single-season record eight assists
Lauren Miller, North Dakota State - F, Sr.
- 2015 Summit League Offensive Player of the Year
- League's active career-leader in goals (37)
- Three-time First Team All-Summit League selection
Amy Yang, North Dakota State - M, Sr.
- 2015 First Team All-Summit League
- 2014 Second Team All-Summit League
- Led league with nine assists last season
Ava Doetsch, Omaha - D, Sr.
- Started all 53 matches during her Maverick career
- Scored two goals as a freshman, tallied one assist her junior season
- Registered the most minutes played for Omaha last season (1,671)
Brittney Lawrence, Oral Roberts - F, Sr.
- 2015 First Team All-Summit League
- Team-high 10 goals in 2015
- Named Summit League Offensive Player of the Week three times last season
Corey Strang, South Dakota - F, Sr.
- 2014 and 2015 Second Team All-Summit League
- Led USD with 11 goals and five assists
- Tied for third in Summit League with 27 total points
Nicole Inskeep, South Dakota State - GK, Sr.
- 2013 and 2015 Second Team All-Summit League
- Led league in both save percentage (.815) and goals-against average (1.06)
- Twice named league Defensive Player of the Week in 2015
Mary Street, Western Illinois - D, Jr.
- Started 15 of 16 matches for WIU in her sophomore season
- Total of 23 career starts from the center back position for the Leathernecks
- Recorded her first career assist vs. Indiana State (Oct. 4) last season
Note: Players to Watch selected by league's head coaches
