Horizon League

INDIANAPOLIS – Milwaukee has been named the favorite to capture the conference title as the 2019 Horizon League Women’s Soccer preseason poll was revealed on Tuesday. The poll was voted on by the League’s 10 head coaches.

The 2018 Horizon League Tournament Champion Panthers topped the ranking with 90 points including eight first-place votes. Milwaukee will look to win back-to-back titles as they return Horizon League All-Tournament Team members McKaela Schmelzer and Elaina LaMacchia, as well as All-Horizon League First Team and Freshman of the Year Haley Johnson.

Northern Kentucky earned second place in the preseason poll with a total of 79 points. The Norse return last year’s All-Horizon League First Team performer Shawna Zaken and Horizon League All-Freshman Team member Lily Menssen.

2018 Horizon League Tournament runner-up Cleveland State was ranked third in the preseason poll with 73 points and earned two first place votes. The Vikings will bring back Ja’Maya Ward who was a member of the Horizon League All-Freshman Team.

IUPUI was ranked fourth with 64 points, followed closely by Wright State in fifth with 61 points and Oakland being ranked sixth with 59 points.

UIC came in seventh place with 44 points. The eighth ranked team was Detroit Mercy with 30 points, immediately followed by Youngstown State with 29 points and Green Bay with 16 points.

The regular season begins on Thursday, August 22. The 2019 Horizon League Championship will be held Nov. 7-9 at the home field of the highest seed that meet facility requirements.

2019 Horizon League Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Pl. Team - Pts. (First-Place Votes)

1. Milwaukee – 90 (8)
2. Northern Kentucky – 79
3. Cleveland State – 73 (2)
4. IUPUI – 64
5. Wright State – 61
6. Oakland – 59
7. UIC – 44
8. Detroit Mercy – 30
9. Youngstown State – 29
10. Green Bay – 16