Women's Soccer | 8/16/2024 11:00:00 AM

August 16, 2024 – The MIAA released their Preseason Soccer Coaches Poll, and the Hornets are picked fifth. This is the fifth consecutive season the Hornets are slated within the top five of the preseason poll.
 
Washburn is slated in first with nine first-place votes and 137 points with Central Missouri just behind with 131 points and three first-place votes. Fort Hays State was picked third with 112 points. Northwest Missouri is slated just ahead of the Hornets in fourth with 99 points while the Hornets had 98 points in fifth place. The final first place vote went to Missouri Western who was picked sixth with 86 points.
 
The Hornets return five players who played over 1000 minutes last season, and ten who played over 500 minutes. Defenders Aubree Blackman and Abby Bachman played the second and third-most minutes for Emporia State last season while recording multiple assists from the backline. Mackenzi Goen started 22 matches in goal for the Hornets and Hadlie Lowe is the leading returning scorer with six goals in 2023.
 
The Hornets are scheduled to begin the season with five non-conference matches, with the first four on the road against NSIC opponents that went a combined 36-26-14 last season. Emporia State's final non-conference match is against Drury on September 18, which will also be the home opener for the Hornets.
 
Emporia State is 30-2-2 on the ESU Pitch since 2018.
 
2024 MIAA WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Washburn [9] – 137 points 
2. Central Missouri [3] – 131 points
3. Fort Hays State – 112 points
4. Northwest Missouri – 99 points
5. Emporia State – 98 points
6. Missouri Western [1] – 86 points
7. Central Oklahoma – 82 points
8. Northeastern State – 77 points
9. Rogers State – 58 points
10. Nebraska Kearney – 46 points
11. Pittsburg State – 39 points
12. Newman – 29 points
13. Missouri Southern – 20 points
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team
[#] - Number of First-Place Votes