Milwaukee, Northern Kentucky Named Horizon League Women's Soccer Favorites

INDIANAPOLIS (August 14, 2017) – Milwaukee and Northern Kentucky have tied for first place in the 2017 Horizon League Women’s Soccer preseason poll. Both teams received five first place votes and topped the ranking with 86 points. The poll was voted on by the League’s 10 head coaches.

Northern Kentucky, the 2016 Horizon League tournament champions, returns two first team all-league players, Macy Hamblin - Horizon League Player of the Year – and Jessica Frey who was named the 2016 Horizon League Championship MVP.
Together, Frey and Hamblin had a total of 19 goals contributing to the Norse’s 2016 win-lose-tie record of 13-7-1.

Milwaukee, 2016 Horizon League Championship runners-up, welcomes back midfielder Anna Smalley. Smalley was named to the 2016 All-Horizon League first team.

Detroit Mercy was ranked third with 73 points with Oakland following in fourth. Wright State edged out UIC by six points for the fifth spot.

The Titans are welcoming back midfielder, Rachel DeLuca – Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year – and midfielder Phylisha Drayton who was named to the 2016 All-league second team.

Aaliyah Patten is back for Wright State after having four goals and four assists on the year and being named to the first team all-Horizon League.

Newcomer IUPUI came in seventh. Youngstown State follows in eighth with Cleveland State two points behind in ninth place. Green Bay rounds out the poll in 10th place.

The regular season begins Friday,  August 18, and the 2017 Horizon League Championship will be held November 2-4 at the home field of the highest seed that meets facility requirements.

2017 Horizon League Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Team Pts. (1st)
1.  Milwaukee   86 (5)
2.  Northern Kentucky 86 (5)
3.  Detroit Mercy 73
4.  Oakland 66
5.  Wright State 59
6.  UIC 53
7.  IUPUI  42
8. Youngstown State 34
9. Cleveland State  32
10. Green Bay  18