By: Madie Brink
August 11, 2022
SIOUX FALLS – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Soccer team is coming off a 3-11-4 season while finishing 3-8-4 in the NSIC as they look to climb the standings after being selected 12th this season. Click Here for the 2022 Pre-Season Coaches Poll.
Throughout the 2021 season, the Cougars were able to hold 14 opponents to two or fewer goals while putting up a .692 shots on goal percentage (SOG%) and holding their opponents to a .671 SOG%. The Cougars collected two All-NSIC honors with goalkeeper Alexis Wemhoff being named the NSIC Goalkeeper of the Year as well as to the All-NSIC First Team. Defenseman, Bailey Kehrli picked-up USF's first ever All-NSIC Second Team honors as a defender for the Cougars, and looks to carry that momentum in to the 2022 season.
Bailey Kehrli, a senior from Elkhorn, NE, secured her spot on this seasons NSIC Players to Watch list as a returning captain for this seasons squad. Kehrli tallied 1,485 playing minutes in 18 games during her All-NSIC performance season in 2021. As she transfers to more of an attacking role, Kehrli will be a huge asset to this seasons Cougar Soccer program.
"Bailey is one of our returning captains from last year and is really excited about getting a chance to move higher up the field for our team this season," said Head Coach Brittany Domino. "In the past, her role has been more to sit-in and connect for our team but this year we will be moving her into an attacking role and we can't wait to see what that brings for our team. She is an aggressive player that I believe will bring a new dimension to our team's attack."
Kelsey Oswald, a junior from Yankton, SD, also secured a spot on the NSIC Players to Watch list after tallying a 1.0 SOG% during her sophomore campaign with 5 shots on goal. Oswald started all 18 games for the Cougars in 2021 while collecting 1,559 playing minutes and 1 goal.
"Kelsey is one of the hardest working players that I have worked with. She is very motivated and is always looking to improve. Over the last year she has really grown as a player. She is going to be a major contributor for us on both sides of the ball. She is an outstanding one on one defender and has really worked on her one on one attacking skills over the last year. I think all of her hard work is really going to pay off this fall."
The Cougars will open their season at home on August 26th against Fort Hayes State at Bob Young Field.
For more information and updates on everything Cougar Soccer, be sure to follow The Coo on Instagram @USiouxFallsSoccer and Twitter @USF_WSoccer.
