RIPON, Wisconsin – The Ripon men's soccer program has been picked to finish sixth in the upcoming 2024 Midwest Conference season as the MWC Preseason Coaches Poll was announced on Tuesday.
 
Defending regular-season champion Illinois College was picked to win the league crown again in 2024. The 2024 MWC Tournament champion, Lake Forest, was projected to finish second and grabbed four first-place votes. The full poll is listed below.
 
The Red Hawk men finished the 2023 season 6-4-7 overall and 1-3-4 in Midwest Conference play. Ripon had the best defensive record in the MWC while giving up its fewest amount of goals since 2000. The Red Hawks also had their least amount of losses since 2000 while achieving their highest win percentage since 2010. Head coach Marco Rhein returns 24 players from last year's squad, welcoming in 17 freshmen.
 
The 2024 campaign begins with a match at Wisconsin Lutheran on Friday, August 30 at 7 p.m. Ripon's home opener is slated for Sunday, September 1 at Hopp Stadium as the Red Hawks host Marian.
 
2024 Midwest Conference Preseason Poll
 
1. Illinois College (4 first-place votes) - 57 points
2. Lake Forest College (4) - 56 points
3. Cornell College (1) - 49 points
4. Grinnell College - 47 points
5. Knox College - 34 points
6. Ripon College - 32 points
7. Beloit College - 22 points
8. Monmouth College - 17 points
9. Lawrence University - 10 points
 
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