BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls women's soccer team was selected 12th in the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference office today. Junior defender Mara Nelson and junior forward Addison Van Zee were also recognized as the Cougars' Players to Watch, representing the program on the defensive and offensive sides of the ball, respectively.

The Cougars return a veteran core from last season's squad and will look to build on the program's continued upward trajectory under head coach Andy Janssen. USF opens the 2026 campaign later this month before beginning its 15-match NSIC schedule on Friday, Sept. 11.

Defending NSIC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Minnesota State topped the preseason poll with 223 points and 13 first-place votes, followed by Concordia-St. Paul, Bemidji State, Augustana and St. Cloud State rounding out the top five.

"We're excited about the direction this group is heading," said head coach Andy Janssen. "Our players have embraced the changes and challenges that come with continuing to elevate this program. The biggest factor in our success will be how well we stay connected as a team and respond together when adversity hits. I'm incredibly grateful for the leadership and experience we have returning, and this group is motivated to keep moving the program forward."

Nelson earned the defensive Player to Watch designation after starting all 18 matches for the Cougars in 2025. She logged a team-high 1,554 minutes while anchoring the back line, recording one assist and adding a shot on goal. Off the field, Nelson was named to both the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence and the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

"Mara has earned the trust of everyone in our program," Janssen said. "She led our team in minutes a season ago because of her consistency and decision-making, and she's the kind of player teammates naturally look to for leadership. She sets the standard every day, both on the field and behind the scenes, and her impact on this program extends far beyond what shows up on the stat sheet."

Van Zee was selected as USF's offensive Player to Watch following a breakout sophomore campaign. She started all 18 matches and led the Cougars with eight goals and 16 points while totaling 55 shots, including 21 on target. Van Zee also recorded three game-winning goals and earned All-NSIC Second Team honors, Chick-fil-A Athlete of the Month recognition, three USF Athlete of the Week awards and a spot on the NSIC All-Academic Team.

"Addison has all the tools to become one of the top goal scorers in our conference," Janssen said. "She dedicated a tremendous amount of time this summer to improving her finishing, and we're excited to see that work translate this fall. Even when opponents key on her, she finds ways to influence the game, whether that's creating chances for herself or opening opportunities for her teammates."

The 2026 NSIC regular season champion will be determined through a 15-match conference schedule, with teams earning three points for a win and one point for a draw. The NSIC Tournament is set for Nov. 2, 6 and 8, with first-round matches hosted by the top four seeds before the semifinals and championship are played at the highest remaining seed.

New for the 2026 season, the NSIC Network is now powered by Midco Sports Plus, providing fans with exclusive live and on-demand coverage of all 16 NSIC institutions, including every home regular-season conference and non-conference match.

Sioux Falls will open their regular season on the road at Black Hills State on August 27th at 7pm (CST) before opening their home schedule against Dakota State on August 30 at 5pm on newly turfed, Bob Young Field.

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