Golden Eagle women’s soccer team picked last in NSIC

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) Women’s Soccer team has been picked to finish 16th in the 2012 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Coaches’ Poll.

The Golden Eagles finished the 2011 season with an overall record of 3-14-1 and NSIC record of 2-10-1. They finished tied for 12th place. Nikki Hammond (Jr, F, Nelson, Minn./Alexandria H.S.) and Jenson Crots (Sr, D, Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) were named UMC’s Players to Watch.

The Golden Eagles open the 2012 season under first-year head coach Joe Alianiello with and exhibition games against Jamestown College on Sunday, August 17. The match begins at 1 p.m. at the UMC Soccer Field.

Minnesota State University, Minnesota (MSU) was picked to finish in first place. The Mavericks finished 2011 with an overall record of 17-3-3 and NSIC record of 10-1-2 which was good for second place during the regular season. MSU captured the 2011 NSIC Post-Season Tournament.

NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Minnesota State (11) - 221

2. Winona State (5) - 212

3     Minnesota Duluth - 191

4. St. Cloud State - 166

5. Augustana - 165

6. Bemidji State - 151

7. U-Mary - 148

8. Upper Iowa - 129

9. Concordia-St. Paul - 118

10. Minot State - 99

11. Southwest Minn. State - 74

12. MSU Moorhead - 71

13. Wayne State - 53

14. Sioux Falls - 52

15. Northern State - 51

16. Minnesota, Crookston - 19

First place votes in ( )