Storm tabbed fifth in A-R-C Coaches’ Poll

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- A year after Simpson College women's soccer earned its first double-digit win campaign since 2011, the Storm are picked to finish fifth in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced Thursday.

The reigning A-R-C Tournament Champions, Wartburg, sit atop the standings with six first-place votes with Loras in second. Dubuque and Luther are third and fourth, respectively, while Coe, Nebraska Wesleyan, Central and Buena Vista trail Simpson.

Head coach Jeremy Reinert highlighted a list of awards for the Storm by capturing the A-R-C Coach of the Year honor at the end of his second season by leading the squad to its second 10-plus win campaign since 2010 and most league victories since 2011.

Brooklin Froehlich and Megan Roberts both return after being placed on the Honorable Mention All-A-R-C team last year. Roberts was second on the team with six goals scored and Froehlich played on a defense that recorded 11 shutouts. Abby Cozzoni was tabbed the A-R-C Player of the Week on Sept. 16, 2019 for the team's only weekly honor of the season.

As a unit, the defense was sixth in the nation in save percentage (.833) and 31st in goals against average (.603).

The Storm begin their season Saturday by hosting Dubuque for a 1 p.m. match inside Buxton Stadium. Simpson will honor its four seniors before the contest: Kaitlyn Bravek, Lauren Hastie, Cassidy Price and Madi Strecker.

2020-21 American Rivers Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Wartburg (15-3-3, 6-1-1 A-R-C)
2. Loras (13-5, 7-1 A-R-C)
3. Dubuque (12-5-2, 4-2-2 A-R-C)
4. Luther (9-9-2, 4-3-1 A-R-C)
5. Simpson (10-4-5, 4-2-2 A-R-C)
6. Coe (8-8-2, 3-4-1 A-R-C)
7. Nebraska Wesleyan (12-6, 3-5 A-R-C)
8. Central (6-10-2, 1-6-1 A-R-C)
9. Buena Vista (2-15, 0-8 A-R-C)