BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Soccer Team, which will feature returning veterans and talented newcomers, will look to better the 14^th place projection of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, which was released Monday, August 16 by the league office.
 
USF, which was 4-13-1 (4-10-1 in the league) in 2019 will open the season on Friday, Sept. 3 at 6 pm against Northwest Missouri State at the USF Sports Complex.
 
The four-time defending NSIC Tournament Champions of Minnesota State University, Mankato were picked to win the NSIC in the preseason coaches' poll.  Minnesota State received nine first place votes and tallied 218 points, ranking them ahead of Augustana (202), which received three first place votes. The defending NSIC Regular Season Champions (2019) of Concordia-St. Paul came in third with 200 points and the other four first place votes.  Bemidji State was fourth with 194 points while St. Cloud State was fifth with 165 points. The 2021 NSIC Soccer Regular Season Champion will be determined by a 15-match league schedule, with a win earning a team three points and a tie one point.

Season Preview – After losing the 2020 season due to CoVID-19 pandemic, seventh year Head Coach Brittany Domino and her team are focused on continuing to develop a program which has made substantial progress over the previous seasons.
 
The Cougars, which will open the season with a home match against Northwest Missouri State on Friday, Sept. 3 at 6 pm at the USF Sports Complex, will look to improve on the 4-13-1 mark of 2019 (4-10-1 in league play).
 
"Each season our team has improved upon the previous year and I think this year will be no different. The one thing I believe is different this year is our depth in every position on the field," said Domino, who will be assisted by Ashley Haflett.
 
USF returns 13 players from the 2019 team and have added 12 new faces. "We expect there to be significant competition for starting spots and playing time everywhere on the field," said Domino. Upfront, USF will have leading scorer Grace Held, who had three goals and seven points in 18 matches (10 starts) in 2019. Five new players, including freshman Hannah Welch, will bring depth and skill for the Cougars to the USF front. In the midfield, returner Kyla Gushard (17 matches – 10 starts) and Player to Watch Aundria Vargas are among the individuals expected to contribute.
 
In the back line, returner Bailey Kerhli and Player to Watch sophomore Kelsey Oswald provide strength and athleticism. In goal, USF will feature three keepers, senior Alexis Wemhoff, junior Holli Knudsen and freshman Caroline Titze.
 
"This preseason, we are looking to develop chemistry and a winning together mentality," said Domino.