FREELAND, Mich. – The Trine women's soccer team has been picked to finish eighth in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) by this year's preseason poll.
The Thunder received votes totaling 21 points to finish in the eighth spot in the poll. The point totals are determined by votes cast by the league's coaches, who cannot vote for their own team. Hope College was picked first in the poll with 63 points including seven first-place votes. Adrian College finished second with 54 points and Kalamazoo College came in third with 48 points. Each garnered a single first-place vote as well.
Trine's position in the poll reflects exactly the team's eighth-place finish from a season ago. The team will look to improve behind the strength of eight returning starters including three of the team's top four goal scorers from a year ago.
Junior Morgan Sanderson (Leo/Leo) will return for her junior campaign having led the team in points and goals for the past two seasons. Last year she finished with six goals and 14 points to the lead the way for the Thunder. Fellow junior Madison Sanderson (Leo/Leo), will look to once again be a crucial part of the defensive effort.
Junior forward Kristen Reece (Indianapolis/Roncalli) will look to rebound from an injury-shortened 2017 season, while her sister Courtney Reece (Indianapolis/Roncalli) will look to also progress this season, after leading freshman players with three points in her first season with the team.
Junior Marisa Robinett (Auburn/Dekalb) finished in a tie for third on the team with three goals last year and will look to up that total this upcoming season as she returns for her third year.
Last season, the Thunder started the year on a four-game tear, sweeping their non-conference competition. The team then ran into a tough MIAA schedule and were bitten by the injury bug as they would win just two games in conference play ending the season with a 6-14 overall record.
Trine opens this season traveling to face off with Earlham College on Saturday, Sept. 1. They open the home portion of the schedule by hosting Defiance College on Wednesday, Sept. 12 and will begin MIAA competition by traveling to face Alma on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
2018 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
Place | School (First-Place Votes) | Points |
1. | Hope College (7) | 63 |
2. | Adrian College (1) | 54 |
3. | Kalamazoo College (1) | 48 |
4. | Calvin College | 40 |
5. | Albion College | 38 |
6. | Olivet College | 27 |
7. | Alma College | 25 |
8. | Trine University | 21 |
9. | Saint Mary's | 8 |