FREELAND, Mich.-- Trine has been picked by the league's coaches to finish eighth in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, released Tuesday.
The Thunder received votes totaling 13 points in the poll. Trine is coming off a season in which the Thunder placed ninth in the MIAA with a 2-10-4 mark in conference play and totaled a 4-11-4 record overall. This year's team will return the bulk of last season's roster after losing just four players to graduation. Returning players accounted for all of the team's scoring a year ago.
Skyler Reed (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) headlines the returners after earning All-MIAA Second Team honors last season. Reed earned accolades for her work as a goalkeeper, but also contributed offensively with a team-leading four goals.
Senior midfielder Jamie McCarrell (Jackson, Mich./Jackson) gives Trine a proven and experienced option on the attack. Carly Osinski (Carmel, Ind./Guerin Catholic) and Gigi Jarratt (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) both established themselves as valued members of the Thunder attack as freshmen.
Trine will have to replace a pair of graduating seniors in its defensive corps, including All-MIAA Second Team performer Trisha King. Meghan Ulrich (Saline, Mich./Saline) brings an experienced presence to the back line.
The Thunder open the season Sept. 1 when they host Manchester at 7:30 p.m. in Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium. Conference play opens Sept. 9 at Calvin. CLICK HERE to view the complete schedule.
Kalamazoo was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the MIAA by the conference's coaches. Hope and Albion also received first-place votes. The results of the poll are listed below.
MIAA Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
Place. Team Name, Points (First-Place)
1. Kalamazoo, 58 (5)
2. Hope, 57 (3)
3. Albion, 47 (1)
4. Calvin, 42
5. Alma, 40
6. Adrian, 33
7. Saint Mary's, 22
8. Trine, 13
9. Olivet, 12