RIPON, Wis. - Ripon's women's soccer team is coming off a season that saw them qualify for the Midwest Conference Tournament for the first time in four years, taking conference champion Knox to the limit in the MWC semifinals, before losing in a shootout. With a bitter-sweet taste still left from last season, the Red Hawks hope there will be nothing bitter about their 2019 campaign.

"Our players are hungry and anxious and we want to take the next step," Ripon Head Coach Greg Ruark said. "We refer to 'Raise The Banner' meaning that we want our name up on the wall in the gymnasium indicating that we're conference champions. We want to be the best in the Midwest Conference and test ourselves against the best in the country."

Although last season ended sooner than the team wanted, it may have been a blessing in disguise, as Ripon is now as hungry as ever to reach the pinnacle of the MWC.

"We changed some things towards the end of last season and felt like we benefited from those changes," Ruark said. "Credit the players for that, and we're going to build on what we did and see if we can take it a step further."

Leading the charge for the Red Hawks will be a two-time All-Conference selection in Senior Paige Pierce, who earned her first career First Team accolades last season. Also a two-time Academic All-Conference performer, Piece enters her final season with the Red Hawks ranking fourth in program history for career goals (39), fifth in points (94), and ninth in assists (16). Her team-leading 17 goals last year are tied for sixth in program history for a single season, to go along with six assists, which were tied for second on the team.

"Paige has worked really hard during the last three years, and leads by example," Ruark said. "I'd take 17 more goals from her this season, but I'd love to see her score even more in her final year with the team."

Ripon's other returning All-Conference player is Junior Camrie Schmitz, who burst onto the scene with 11 goals and six assists last season after missing the previous year with an injury. Both of those totals ranked second on the team for the Academic All-Conference performer.

"Camrie is very comfortable out there and you can't tell that she's had a prior injury," Ruark said. "She's going to score a lot of goals, and if she's not scoring, she'll create opportunities for her teammates."

A two-time Academic All-Conference performer, Junior Brianna Schnell has been a key piece to this team since the day she stepped on campus. Schnell has appeared in all 36 games during the past two years, scoring a career-high nine goals last season, to go along with two assists. Three of those goals came in one game, which is tied for eighth in program history for a single game.

"Brianna has really worked hard in the offseason," Ruark said. "She'll connect what we do defensively with our transition to the offensive side of the field."

Fellow Junior Maeve Kim has started every game for the Red Hawks during the last two years, leading the team with eight assists in 2018. A two-time Academic All-Conference performer, Kim has career totals of seven goals and 11 assists.

"Maeve was solid all year and will likely play center-mid," Ruark said. "She filled in on defense during our tournament game and was extremely comfortable in that role, so we can be flexible with where we play her on the field."

Two players who got their feet wet in their first year with the team are Abby Ryan and Olivia Ambrose, who each scored two goals last season. Ryan also contributed one assist.

"Abby brought a different dimension to the team because she's very physical and is strong enough to win the ball the majority of the time," Ruark said. "Olivia is extremely fast and athletic and gives us an opportunity to stretch the field and create scoring chances for her teammates."

Defensively, Senior Goal Keeper Miye Aoki-Kramer will lead the back of the Red Hawks defense. A three-time Academic-All Conference performer and 2017 First Team Academic All-District player, Aoki-Kramer currently ranks third in program history for career shutouts (9), while ranking fourth in saves (335). She finished last season with 128 saves, a save percentage of .826, and a goals against average of 1.94.

"We expect Miye to be even better than she was last year. She's a tremendous captain and expects a lot from herself," Ruark said. "She plays a position that draws a lot of attention to itself when things don't go well and she's been able to focus on the present, so I expect her to have a fantastic season."

Ripon has two other Goal Keepers who will be vying for playing time in juniors Stefani Zeiger and Charlotte Tornee. An Academic All-Conference performer, Zeiger appeared in 10 games last season, making 44 saves (.786 save pct.) with a goals allowed average of 2.28, while Tornee returns to the team after a one year hiatus.

"Stefani has worked really hard and I anticipate her fighting for some playing time. She desperately wants to be on the field and I appreciate her effort and enthusiasm," Ruark said. "Charlotte is in much better physical condition than two years ago and will try to help us in any way she can."

In front of the Goal Keeper will be a defensive back line led by Senior Kate Kabacinski. An Academic All-Conference performer, Kabacinski has appeared in all but two games during the last three seasons, making 18 starts last year. She recorded one assist in what was her first year as a full-time starter.

"Kate made the transition from offense to defense last season and was terrific," Ruark said. "Having a full year of experience under her belt now, I'm sure she'll be even better this season."

Junior Maggie Bouque also made a transition from offense to defense last season, but still managed to record six assists, which was tied for second on the team, while starting all 19 games.

"Maggie probably played more minutes than anyone on the team last year, so she's a very reliable player," said Ruark.

Senior Kayla Furlano and Sophomore Sierra Thein will also return to the team after each appeared in 18 games a year ago. Furlano is a three-time Academic All-Conference performer, while Thein earned that honor in her first year with the team.

"Kayla is unbelievably reliable and makes very few mistakes, while also possessing the ability to play just about any position on the field," Ruark said. "Sierra is extremely athletic and having a year of experience makes a world of difference, so she'll be much more comfortable this year."

Sophomore Hannah Stephens will also be a part of Ripon's defensive rotation after appearing in all but one game last season, while making nine starts.

"Hannah can play multiple positions, but will likely play center back," said Ruark.

Three other players that will try to build off successful seasons in which they all appeared in at least 16 games are Senior Jacie Verstegen, Junior Kaitlin Hutchinson, and Sophomore Abbigail Greiger. Verstegen and Hutchinson are both two-time Academic All-Conference performers, who recorded one goal and one assist, respecitvely, last season, while Greiger earned Academic All-Conference honors in her first year with the team.

"Jacie, Kaitlin, and Abbigail are all solid performers that will fill a need wherever necessary," Ruark said. "Abbigail played a lot of minutes toward the end of the season, while Kaitlin was part of a nice rotation at center-mid. Jacie has a knack of creating an opportunity for someone on the team and she's a strong, physical player who doesn't get knocked off the ball much."

Sophomores Liv Killian, Bailey Zanck, and Emily Rigden are three more players that will give the Red Hawks some added depth. Zanck and Rigden earned Academic-All-Conference honors as freshmen.

Ripon's freshman class includes Hannah Moore, Liz Stanfield, Kylee Billington, and Alondra Castillo, in addition to first-year player Des'tanee Evans.

"Our freshman class isn't large, but there are a couple players that will be able to step in and help our team," said Ruark.

The Red Hawks will open their 2019 season on August 30 at UW-River Falls. Their first home game will be September 8 against Saint Mary's (Minn.).