Coming off a season that saw the Beavers advance to the NSIC Tournament title game, the Minot State women’s soccer team was picked to finish in the middle of the NSIC pack as the league announced its Preseason Poll and Preseason Players of the Year for the 2025 season.

Under the leadership of new head coach Chris Logan, the Beavers were voted to finish 8th in the 2025 NSIC Preseason Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll released today.

“There are a lot of new faces on the roster for this fall, and there will be a freshness to the team after losing so many seniors last year,” Minot State’s new coach said. “We have a very strong core group returning and the new players will complement what we bring back very well.”

The Beavers were picked 8th with 128 points in the coaches’ poll.

Minot State opens the 2025 fall with an exhibition against the Magic City Legends club team on Sunday, August 24, at 3 p.m., then opens the season in earnest on the road on September 4 at Regis in Denver, Colo.

Minot State makes its official home debut at First Western Bank Field at Herb Parker Stadium on Friday, September 19, hosting St. Cloud State at 5 p.m.

The NSIC also announced Offensive and Defensive Player to Watch from each team, and returning sophomore forward Anna Miotto and senior defender Sierra Haren were named the Players to Watch for Minot State.

Miotto was the 2024 NSIC Freshman of the Year and earned 2nd Team USC All-Central Region and 2nd Team All-NSIC honors as she scored a team-high 7 goals and had 2 assists last season.

“Anna is very technical, has a strong shot, and great passing range,” Logan said. “She possesses an extremely high-achieving mindset and winning mentality.”

Haren is in her fifth season with the Beavers and is a three-year starter on defense who scored her first collegiate goal last season and was named a 2nd Team All-NSIC defender.

“Sierra is strong, fast, and very aggressive defensively,” Minot State’s new coach said. “She is also a ferocious competitor who gives her best effort in everything.”

Last year’s NSIC champion and NCAA National Runner-up Champion Minnesota State, Mankato was a heavy favorite to repeat as NSIC champion with 14 first-place votes and 224 points in the poll. Concordia, St. Paul was picked second with 202 points and 1 first-place vote, Bemidji State was picked third with 177 points, and St. Cloud State was picked fourth with 176 points and the other first-place vote.

Augustana was picked fifth with 169 by the coaches, Mary was sixth with 159 points, Northern State was picked seventh with 136 points, Minot State was eighth with 128 points, Wayne State was ninth with 116 points, Winona State was 10th with 95 points, Minnesota Duluth was 11th with 83 points, Southwest Minnesota State was 12th with 64 points, Jamestown and Sioux Falls tied for 13th in the poll, each with 59 points, Minnesota State Moorhead was 15th with 37, and Minnesota Crookston was 16th with 22 points.

Bemidji State senior forward Katrina Barthelt, the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year and reigning NSIC scoring champion, was named the 2025 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Minnesota State, Mankato senior defender Kiera Laney was named the 2025 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Laney was named to the 2024 USC All-Central Region 1st Team as a defender.