The Beavers were picked to finish sixth in the NSIC Preseason Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll released today, while redshirt-senior forward Anabel Noches and sophomore defender Rebecca Storr each were highlighted as Players to Watch this season. 

Minot State, which finished fourth in the regular-season standings then advanced to the NSIC Tournament title game before falling in overtime to eventual champion Bemidji State last fall, garnered 133 points in the preseason poll and was a slim one point behind in-state rival the University of Mary in, which was picked fifth with 134 points. 

The Beavers open the 2023 season by hosting a pair of exhibitions, the first is noon on Tuesday, August 15, against the University of Winnipeg, and the second is Saturday, August 26, at 5 p.m. when the Beavers host the Magic City Legends team. Minot State opens the season in earnest on Sunday, Sept. 3, playing a non-conference game at NSIC foe Minnesota Crookston. 

Meanwhile, Minot State’s Noches was named the team’s Offensive Player to Watch by the NSIC. Noches had four assists in 20 games for the Beavers in 2022 and has three goals and five assists in 53 career games at Minot State. 

Minot State’s Anabel Noches weaves through defenders during a game from the 2022 season.

As for Storrs, who was named the Defensive Player to Watch, she made her collegiate debut in 2022 and had one goal in 19 games while helping anchor a Beaver defense that posted 14 shutouts and allowed just 12 goals to opponents in 21 games. 

Minnesota State, Mankato was a heavy favorite to win the league title this season with eight first-place votes and 187 points, while Augustana was picked second with four first-place votes and 177 points. Bemidji State was picked third with two first-place votes and 170 points, and Concordia, St. Paul was picked to finish fourth with one first-place vote and 147 points. 

Mary and Minot State were next in fifth and sixth, respectively, then came Northern State in seventh with 119 points, St. Cloud State in eighth with 104 points, Minnesota Duluth in ninth with 103 points, Winona State in 10th with 82 points, Southwest Minnesota State and Wayne State tied for 11th with 59 points each, Minnesota State Moorhead was 13th with 45 points, Sioux Falls was 14th with 38 points, and Minnesota Crookston was 15th with 18 points. 

Individually, Minnesota State, Mankato’s Allie Williams and Bemidji State’s Halle Peterson were named the Preseason NSIC Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively. 

Williams, a senior midfielder, was a First Team All-NSIC selection who had five goals and five assists, while Peterson, a fifth-year defender, was a Second Team All-Region selection in 2022.

Mary and Minot State were next in fifth and sixth, respectively, then came Northern State in seventh with 119 points, St. Cloud State in eighth with 104 points, Minnesota Duluth in ninth with 103 points, Winona State in 10th with 82 points, Southwest Minnesota State and Wayne State tied for 11th with 59 points each, Minnesota State Moorhead was 13th with 45 points, Sioux Falls was 14th with 38 points, and Minnesota Crookston was 15th with 18 points. 

Individually, Minnesota State, Mankato’s Allie Williams and Bemidji State’s Halle Peterson were named the Preseason NSIC Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively. 

Williams, a senior midfielder, was a First Team All-NSIC selection who had five goals and five assists, while Peterson, a fifth-year defender, was a Second Team All-Region selection in 2022. 

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