University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Panther soccer tabbed fourth in MVC preseason poll
8/14/2024 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Three veterans also earn preseason all-conference honors on eve of 2024 season.
ST. LOUIS --- The UNI soccer team was picked to finish fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) standings this season, as announced on Wednesday morning with the release of the league's annual preseason coaches poll.
UNI, who finished in third-place at the end of the 2023 conference schedule at 6-4, finished with 85 total points in voting. Missouri State, who will play their final season in the MVC this fall, was picked as the favorite to clinch the league's regular season title with seven out of 11 first-place votes and 116 points. Drake was tabbed second with three first-place votes and 109 points, while UIC finished third with 87 points. The full preseason poll results can be found below.
Additionally, three Panthers received individual recognition with selection to MVC Preseason Teams. Midfielder/forward Olivia Knoepfle, who led Northern Iowa with nine goals last season, earned Preseason First Team All-MVC honors. She was joined on the list by senior forward Lauren Heinsch, who netted seven goals in 2023. While this is Knoepfle's first preseason honor from the MVC, it is the second consecutive Preseason First Team All-MVC selection for Heinsch.
Defender Maddie Eastus also picked up recognition, being selected to the Preseason MVC Honorable Mention Team for her first career preseason honor. Eastus, who scored a career-high five goals with six assists last season, earned Third Team All-MVC honors in 2023.
UNI will kick off the 2024 season tomorrow afternoon as it hosts the South Dakota Coyotes. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT at the UNI Soccer Field in Cedar Falls, with live coverage available on ESPN+.
2024 MVC WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL (Points) [First-Place Votes]
- Missouri State (166) [7]
- Drake (109) [3]
- UIC (87)
- UNI (85)
- Valparaiso (83)
- Murray State (73) [1]
- Belmont (54)
- Indiana State (42)
- Evansville (32)
- Illinois State (23)
- Southern Illinois (22)
2024 PRESEASON FIRST TEAM ALL-MVC
- Jenna Anderson, Defender (Missouri State)
- Camielle Day, Goalkeeper (Missouri State)
- Yulexi Diaz, Midfielder (UIC)
- Angela Guiterrez, Midfielder (Drake)
- Mary Hardy, Forward (Murray State)
- Lauren Heinsch, Forward (UNI)
- Addy Joiner, Forward (Valparaiso)
- Olivia Knoepfle, Midfielder/Forward (UNI)
- Makenna Malory, Midfielder (UIC)
- Grace O'Keefe, Forward (Missouri State)
- Carley Raunig, Defender (Missouri State)
2024 PRESEASON ALL-MVC HONORABLE MENTION
- Madeline Alexander, Goalkeeper (Indiana State)
- Kaeli Benedict, Midfielder (Missouri State)
- Maddie Eastus, Midfielder (UNI)
- Maddie Helling, Defender/Midfielder (Indiana State)
- Sophia Jamie, Forward/Midfielder (UIC)
- Layla Kelbel, Forward (Drake)
- Avery Mertz, Midfielder (Drake)
- Shelsea Rigby, Defender (UIC)
- Gabbi Schlapper, Midfielder (Missouri State)
- Wimberley Wright, Midfielder/Forward (Indiana State)
UNI women's soccer action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Panther Soccer), X (@UNI_Soccer) and on Instagram (@unipanthersoccer). The full 2024 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
