Women’s Soccer Bears Picked First in Preseason Poll

ST. LOUIS – The Missouri State women’s soccer team was picked as the preseason favorite in the Missouri Valley Conference coaches preseason poll, the league announced Wednesday along with its preseason all-conference team.
 
The Bears received seven of the 11 first place votes from other coaches in the league for a total of 116 points. Drake came in second with 109 points and three first-place votes and UIC followed behind in third place with 87 points. The only other team to receive first place votes was Murray State who was picked to finish sixth with 73 points and one first place vote.
 
Nelson returns eight starters from a 12-2-5 team that finished second (7-0-3) in the MVC a year ago.
 
Six Bears were named to the preseason All-MVC team, including reigning MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Camielle Day who made the list along with two-time MVC Defender of the Year Carly Raunig. Seniors Jenna Anderson and Grace O’Keefe also earned a spot on the All-MVC Preseason first team. Kaeli Benedict and Gabbi Schlapper were named honorable mentions.
 
Day recorded the most shutouts in the MVC last season (10), O’Keefe led The Valley in assists (7). In 2023, Missouri State led the nation in goals against average (.416) and shutout percentage (.684).
 
The Bears have the most athletes on the preseason team, followed by UIC and UNI with two apiece.
 
The Bears’ 2024 campaign and final season in the Missouri Valley Conference kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 15 with a 7:00 p.m. matchup at Missouri. Nelson’s squad returns to Springfield for its home opener on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. against Tulsa.