Sophia Green and Margaret LaVigne were tabbed preseason players to watch.
Mavericks Tabbed Third in Preseason Poll
Aug 17, 2021 | Women's Soccer
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Omaha women's soccer was selected third in the Summit League Preseason Poll, while Sophia Green and Margaret LaVigne were tabbed preseason players to watch, the league announced Tuesday morning.
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The Mavericks posted their best season under head coach Tim Walters last year with an overall record of 8-5-5. Omaha's 8-4-4 conference finish placed them third in the overall standings and earned their second postseason berth under Walters. With a penalty kick win vs. No. 2 South Dakota State, the Mavericks advanced to their second championship match in three years.
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Omaha returns its entire starting line-up highlighted by Green and LaVigne who were named Summit League preseason players to watch.
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Green comes off a stellar debut season having earned Summit League Newcomer of the Year, All-Summit Second Team, All-Summit Newcomer Team, and Top Drawer Soccer Freshman Top-100 Honors. She made 17 starts over 18 appearances for Omaha. Green logged 1,203 minutes on the pitch and totaled 14 points, six goals, and two assists this season to lead the Mavericks.
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LaVigne enters her senior season with Omaha and looks to add to her growing list of accolades. LaVigne was tabbed All-Region by United Soccer Coaches and earned All-Summit First Team honors. She was selected at the Summit League Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 16 last season for her second career weekly honor. LaVigne started 18 matches last season logging over 1,700 minutes. She helped the Mavericks to 10 shutouts, which is the most Omaha has posted in a single Division I season.
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The Mavericks open 2021 action at home this week. Omaha hosts UNI on Thursday, Aug. 19. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Caniglia Field.
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Players to Watch
Note: Players to Watch nominated by league's head coaches
Natalie Beckman | Denver | Senior | Forward
Sami Feller | Denver | Senior | Forward
Maya Hansen | South Dakota State | Junior | Forward
Rachel Preston | South Dakota State | Senior | Defender
Margaret LaVigne | Omaha | Senior | Defender
Sophia Green | Omaha | Sophomore | Forward
Alexis Mitchell | South Dakota | Senior | Midfielder
Joana Zanin | South Dakota | Senior | Forward
Olivia Lovick | North Dakota State | Sophomore | Forward/Midfielder
Ellie Schneider | North Dakota State | Sophomore | Defender
Emma Wilson | Kansas City | Senior | Defender/Midfielder
Kassi Ginther | Kansas City | Graduate Student | Forward
Mary Gasaway | North Dakota | Freshman | Defender
Alyssa Prisock | North Dakota | Freshman | Defender
Martha Helsee | Oral Roberts | Senior | Forward
Mia Kitterman | Oral Roberts | Junior | Forward
Alex Balfour | St. Thomas | Senior | Defender
Gaba Palazzo | St. Thomas | Senior | Defender
Amy Andrews | Western Illinois | Senior | Forward
Angie Knies | Western Illinois | Sophomore | Defender/Midfielder
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The Mavericks posted their best season under head coach Tim Walters last year with an overall record of 8-5-5. Omaha's 8-4-4 conference finish placed them third in the overall standings and earned their second postseason berth under Walters. With a penalty kick win vs. No. 2 South Dakota State, the Mavericks advanced to their second championship match in three years.
Â
Omaha returns its entire starting line-up highlighted by Green and LaVigne who were named Summit League preseason players to watch.
Â
Green comes off a stellar debut season having earned Summit League Newcomer of the Year, All-Summit Second Team, All-Summit Newcomer Team, and Top Drawer Soccer Freshman Top-100 Honors. She made 17 starts over 18 appearances for Omaha. Green logged 1,203 minutes on the pitch and totaled 14 points, six goals, and two assists this season to lead the Mavericks.
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LaVigne enters her senior season with Omaha and looks to add to her growing list of accolades. LaVigne was tabbed All-Region by United Soccer Coaches and earned All-Summit First Team honors. She was selected at the Summit League Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 16 last season for her second career weekly honor. LaVigne started 18 matches last season logging over 1,700 minutes. She helped the Mavericks to 10 shutouts, which is the most Omaha has posted in a single Division I season.
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The Mavericks open 2021 action at home this week. Omaha hosts UNI on Thursday, Aug. 19. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Caniglia Field.
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| 2021 Summit League Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll | |||
| Rank | School | Points (1st) | 2020 Record (SL) |
| 1. | Denver | 81 (9) | 17-3-1 (14-1-1, 43 pts.) |
| 2. | South Dakota State | 73 (1) | 12-0-5 (12-0-4, 40 pts.) |
| 3. | Omaha | 62 | 8-5-5 (8-4-4, 28 pts.) |
| 4. | South Dakota | 58 | 9-7-1 (9-6-1, 28 pts.) |
| 5. | North Dakota State | 44 | 7-8-1 (7-8-1, 22 pts.) |
| 6. | Kansas City | 37 | 4-12-1 (4-11-1, 13 pts.) |
| 7. 8. 9. |
North Dakota Oral Roberts St. Thomas |
29 26 21 |
5-9-0 (5-9-0, 15 pts.) 2-12-1 (2-11-1, 7 pts.) 5-0-0 (MIAC: 5-0-0, 15 pts) |
| 10. | Western Illinois | 19 | 2-13-1 (2-13-1, 7 pts.) |
Players to Watch
Note: Players to Watch nominated by league's head coaches
Natalie Beckman | Denver | Senior | Forward
Sami Feller | Denver | Senior | Forward
Maya Hansen | South Dakota State | Junior | Forward
Rachel Preston | South Dakota State | Senior | Defender
Margaret LaVigne | Omaha | Senior | Defender
Sophia Green | Omaha | Sophomore | Forward
Alexis Mitchell | South Dakota | Senior | Midfielder
Joana Zanin | South Dakota | Senior | Forward
Olivia Lovick | North Dakota State | Sophomore | Forward/Midfielder
Ellie Schneider | North Dakota State | Sophomore | Defender
Emma Wilson | Kansas City | Senior | Defender/Midfielder
Kassi Ginther | Kansas City | Graduate Student | Forward
Mary Gasaway | North Dakota | Freshman | Defender
Alyssa Prisock | North Dakota | Freshman | Defender
Martha Helsee | Oral Roberts | Senior | Forward
Mia Kitterman | Oral Roberts | Junior | Forward
Alex Balfour | St. Thomas | Senior | Defender
Gaba Palazzo | St. Thomas | Senior | Defender
Amy Andrews | Western Illinois | Senior | Forward
Angie Knies | Western Illinois | Sophomore | Defender/Midfielder
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Players Mentioned
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