The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer program was slotted 15th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Golden Eagles received 29 votes in the poll.
Minnesota State University, Mankato was picked to finish first in the NSIC with 220 overall points and 12 first-place votes. Bemidji State University was selected second with 206 points and two first-place votes. Augustana University and Minot State University also received one first-place vote apiece.
The UMC soccer program enters their seventh year under Head Coach Joe Alianiello in 2018. The Golden Eagles are looking to get back to the form they had in 2014 and 2015 when they fell one spot short of the NSIC Tournament. Minnesota Crookston returns eight players with substantial starting experience. The Golden Eagles are led by Jessica Scott (Sr., D, Post Falls, Idaho) and Vanessa Shelton (So., MF, Tacoma, Wash.). Scott scored one goal last season and started 11 games in the back row, while Shelton started 16 of 17 games in the middle of the park. Jessica Withrow (So., MF/F, Gardnerville, Nev.) also returns after leading the team with two goals in 2017. In net, Olivia Puttin (Jr., GK, Rogers, Minn.) returns as she looks to improve upon a 2.37 goals against average last season.
The Golden Eagles open up the 2018 season August 30 against Adams State University in Nampa, Idaho.
Preseason Soccer Coaches’ Poll
Points
1. Minnesota State (12)………………………….. 220
2. Bemidji State (2)………………………………… 206
3. Augustana (1)…………………………………….. 194
4. Minot State (1)…………………………………… 189
5. Concordia-St. Paul……………………………… 156
6. Minnesota Duluth………………………………. 146
7. University of Mary…………………………….. 142
8. Winona State …………………………………….. 138
9. St. Cloud State ………………………………….. 116
10. Northern State ……………………………………. 99
11. Upper Iowa ………………………………………… 76
12. Wayne State……………………………………….. 69
13. Sioux Falls…………………………………………. 69
14. MSU Moorhead………………………………….. 51
15. Minnesota Crookston………………………….. 29
16. Southwest Minnesota State …………………. 20
first place votes in ( )
