RIPON, Wisconsin – With the season opener just three days away, the Midwest Conference preseason coaches poll for women's soccer has been announced with the Ripon women's soccer program selected to finish sixth.
 
Last year's regular season and tournament champion, Lake Forest, was projected to win the league again in 2024. Grinnell and Lawrence, both MWC Tournament participants in 2023, received first-place votes for the upcoming season.
 
The full poll is listed below.
 
The Ripon women finished the 2023 season 8-6-3 overall and 2-5-1 in MWC play. The Red Hawks broke a school record for single-season shutouts, accumulating nine in 2023. Ripon only gave up 13 goals all season, also tying a school record for the fewest goals allowed in a season. Andreanna Wilke was named a second-team All-Midwest Conference performer after tying a school record with seven complete-game shutouts in a single season. Seven freshmen and one junior transfer join the fold in 2024 under third year head coach Jen Finco, who welcomes back 21 players from last season's squad.
 
Ripon opens the 2024 season at Great Lakes Christian College on Friday, August 30 with a 12 p.m. match in Michigan. The Red Hawks' home opener is Sunday, September 1 at Hopp Stadium with a 1 p.m. match against Gustavus Adolphus.
 
2024 Midwest Conference Preseason Poll
 
1. Lake Forest College (5 first-place votes) - 61 points
2. Grinnell College (2) - 56 points
3. Lawrence University (2) - 53 points
4. Illinois College - 38 points
5. Monmouth College - 34 points
6. Ripon College - 29 points
7. Beloit College - 27 points
T8. Cornell College - 13 points
T8. Knox College - 13 points
 
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