St. Scholastica poised to reclaim title in 2018, picked first in UMAC women's soccer poll
ST. PAUL, Minn.---In each of the last two women's soccer seasons, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) has crowned an outright champion in the regular season that hasn't been named the College of St. Scholastica. After taking the postseason title in 2017, though, the Saints are poised to regain their spot atop the league in 2018 as they were picked first in the UMAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll announced Tuesday.
The Saints placed first in the poll getting six first-place nods from the coaches for 62 points, while the 2017 regular season champion University of Northwestern followed closely behind with three first-place votes and 57 points. The University of Minnesota Morris rounded out the top three with 51 points which was just six behind the Eagles in second.
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Poll |
Team Previews |
2018 Schedule |
After faltering against the Eagles in the regular season a year ago, the Saints will reload with talent in 2018 as they look to reclaim their regular season glory back from Northwestern. The two squads faced just once last season with the Eagles emerging victorious en route to an untarnished 11-0-1 conference record for the outright title. This year, the Saints and Eagles will meet twice in a 10-day time span at the end of September making those matchups even more critical in what should be a close race for the championship crown.
The top vote-getter will rely heavily on All-UMAC First Team selection Becca Rancour who led conference play in goals (17) and points (43) last season. She is part of a Saint offense that returns 84 percent of its production from last season, as is 2017 Tournament MVP Rachel Dixon. All-UMAC Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Zeis will anchor a solid defense that allowed a UMAC-low five goals in 12 conference games (0.42 GAA) last season.
The reigning champion Eagles shouldn't be counted out, though, after one of the best seasons in program history last year. The Eagles bring back junior Linley Norman who was third in conference points (29) and goals (13). Anna Welch is fresh off her Rookie of the Year season in which she tallied 28 points and 12 goals in conference play. Samantha Colombo returns in goal after recording 11 wins and a .852 save percentage.
Minnesota Morris should be in the mix for another top-three finish or challenge for the title but will need to do it without the likes of UMAC Player of the Year Molly Hancuh. The Cougars will need a standout season from three-time All-UMAC performer Yu Ito as well as experienced midfielders Megan Ellingboe and Brooke Lorentz to keep up with the likes of the Saints and Eagles.
After the top three spots, there is a significant drop-off in points with four teams separated by just eight. Bethany Lutheran College and Northland College tied for fourth with 36 points, while Martin Luther College grabbed sixth with 30 points and was closely followed by Wisconsin-Superior in seventh with 28 points. Bethany Lutheran missed the postseason a year ago but should have an opportunity to get back in with the return of All-UMAC performers Madison Perry and Sadie Sandersfeld. Northland advanced to the semifinals as the No. 5 seed and should be a contender again with returning All-UMAC goalkeeper Megan Jordan who helped the LumberJills stay alive in the postseason.
Martin Luther made the playoffs a year ago and will look to do so again with the return of Honorable Mention players Morgan Hill and Lydia Bitter who had seven points each last year. Wisconsin-Superior will fight for a spot in the tourney as well bringing back Emma Street who was Honorable Mention following a solid rookie season.
North Central University and Crown College round out the poll in eighth (13) and ninth (11), respectively. A trio of senior mifdielders including Abby Schwinden should help new head coach Colette Montgomery in her first season leading the Rams. Honorable Mention Katie Carter will lead a young Crown team looking to improve in 2018.
UMAC soccer teams open up non-conference competition beginning Friday before conference play kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 12. The final date of UMAC regular season contests is Saturday, Oct. 27. The postseason tournament starts Monday, Oct. 29 with the No. 4 vs. No. 5 quarterfinal game. Semifinals will be held Wednesday, Oct. 31 at the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds and the championship is set for Saturday, Nov. 3 at the highest remaining seed. The winner of the UMAC postseason tournament will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA championship.
2018 UMAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
1. St. Scholastica – 62 points (6 First Place Votes)
2. Northwestern – 57 points (3 First Place Votes)
3. Minnesota Morris – 51 points
T-4. Bethany Lutheran – 36 points
T-4. Northland – 36 points
6. Martin Luther – 30 points
7. Wisconsin-Superior – 28 points
8. North Central – 13 points
9. Crown – 11 points
TEAM PREVIEWS
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BLC |
CC |
CSS |
MLC |
NC |
NCU |
UMM |
UNW |
UWS |
Bethany Lutheran College
Derick Lyngholm | 12th Season |
2017 Season
5-7 UMAC, 7-11 | 6th |
Top Returners
- Madison Perry, So., F | 2017 Second Team All-UMAC | 6 goals (top returning scorer), 1 assist, 13 points |
- Sadie Sandersfeld, So., D | 2017 Honorable Mention All-UMAC |
- Sarah Paul, Sr., D | 2016 2nd Team All-UMAC |
Need to Know
Jessica Berlinger will be returning after two years away and will be an immediate impact player.
The College of St. Scholastica
Dave Reyelts | 19th |
2017 Season
10-1-1 UMAC, 13-7-3 | 2nd |
Postseason: Lost in First Round of NCAA Tournament to UW-La Crosse
Top Returners
- Hannah Zeis, Sr., M | 2017 UMAC Defensive Player of the Year; 2016, 2017 First Team All-UMAC | 2017 USC Third Team All-North Region | Started 22 Games, 5 assists, 9 points |
- Becca Rancour, Jr., F | 2015, 2017 First Team All-UMAC | 2017 USC Second Team All-North Region | 22 Goals, 10 Assists, 54 Points |
- Rachel Dixon, Sr., M | 2017 Honorable Mention All-UMAC; 2015, 2016 Second Team All-UMAC, 2017 UMAC Tournament MVP | 9 Goals, 5 GW Goals, 22 Points |
Need to Know
The Saints return 84 percent of their offensive production for a season ago, including eight of their top nine goal scorers. Plus two-year starter Roni Rudolph at goalkeeper.
Crown College
Jamie Ross | 8th Season |
2017 Season
0-12 UMAC, 1-17 | 9th |
Top Returners
- Katie Carter, Sr., M | All-UMAC HM 2016, 2017 | 2 Goals, 4 Assists, 15 Shots on Goal |
- Anna Kragt, Jr., F | All-UMAC HM 2016 | 6 Goals, 16 Shots on Goal, 1 Assist |
- Michaela Cowman, So.. GK | All-UMAC HM 2017 | 293 Saves, .761 Save %, 1 Win |
Martin Luther College
Jeff Schone | 9th Season |
2017 Season
7-4-1 UMAC, 8-9-2 | T-3rd |
Postseason: Lost quarterfinal game of UMAC Postseason Tournament to Northland 1-0
Top Returners
- Morgan Hill, Jr., M | 2017 HM All-UMAC | 7 goals, 18 points, 22 shots on goal |
- Lydia Bitter, So., M | 2017 HM All-UMAC | 7 goals, 16 points, 3 game winning goals |
- Erika Rosenbaum, So., D | 19 starts as a FY defender, 10 shots |
Need to Know
MLC shut out seven of its 12 UMAC opponents last season on the way to a tie for third place in the final conference standings.
North Central University
Colette Montgomery | 1st Season |
2017 Season
2-10 UMAC, 5-12 | 8th |
Top Returners
- Linnea Madsen, Sr., M | 2016 UMAC Women's Soccer Sportsmanship Award| 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point |
- Abby Schwinden, Sr., M | 2016 UMAC Women's Soccer All-Conference Honorable Mention| 4 goals, 2 assists, 10 points |
- Cheyenne Brown, So., M| 2017 UMAC Women's Soccer Sportsmanship Award | 3 goals, 3 assists, 9 points |
Justin Sexton | 4th Season |
2017 Season
5-4-3 UMAC, 8-9-3 | 5th |
Postseason: Lost to #1 Northwestern in overtime of the UMAC Semifinals. Beat Martin Luther 1-0 in the first round of the postseason tournament.
Top Returners
- Megan Jordan, Jr., GK | 2017 UMAC First-Team |
- Gretchen Hamernik-Winters, Sr., D | 2017 UMAC Second-Team |
Need to Know
In the past three seasons, the LumberJills have played 3 UMAC tournament Semifinal contests.
University of Minnesota Morris
Dan Magner | 13th Season |
2017 Season
7-4-1 UMAC, 9-8-1 | T-3rd |
Postseason: fell to CSS in UMAC semis
Top Returners
- Yu Ito, Sr., M | 3-time First Team All-UMAC | 2017 USC Second Team All-North Region | 8 goals, 5 assists, 21 points |
- Megan Ellingboe, Jr., M/D | 2017 HM All-UMAC | 7 goals, 9 assists, 23 points |
- Brooke Lorentz, Jr., M/F | 8 goals, 7 assists, 23 points, 3 GW goals |
Need to Know
UMM led the UMAC in team points/game last season (8.50). Was one of two UMAC teams to not pick up a yellow or red card last season.
University of Northwestern
Josh Pettit | 13th season |
2017 Season
11-0-1 UMAC, 12-8-1 | 1st |
Postseason: UMAC Postseason Runner-Ups (Win vs. Northland, 3-1; Loss vs. St. Scholastica, 1-2) | NCCAA Regional Tournament (Loss vs. Trinity International, 3-0)
Top Returners
- Anna Welch, So., M/F | Rookie of the Year, All-Conference Second Team, Academic All-Conference | 15 goals, 34 points, 2 game-winning goals |
- Linley Norman, Jr., F/R | All-Conference First Team | 13 goals, 30 points, 2 game-winning goals |
- Samantha Colombo, Sr., GK | 3X Player of the Week | 21 games played, 130 saves |
Need to Know
Went undefeated in conference play for 2017 season.
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Allison DeGroot | 2nd Season |
2017 Season
3-8-1 UMAC, 4-13-1 | 7th |
Top Returners
- Emma Street, So., M | All-UMAC HM (2017) | 4 goals, 12 points, 1 game winning goal |
- Danielle James, Sr., D/M | 1 goal, 1 game winning goal, 2 points |
Need to Know
The 2017 Yellowjackets scored more goals than in any of the last five years and allowed fewer goals than in any of the last 11 years.