BAY CITY - The Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer team was chosen to finish in third place in the 2015 GLIAC Women's Soccer Coaches Poll. The Lady Cardinals garnered 117 points to finish in the third slot, 13 points behind runner-up Ohio Dominican (130). Grand Valley State was picked to win the league, picking up 11 of 13 first place votes to tally 143 points. Ohio Dominican was the recipient of the other two first place nods.
2015 Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer preview
The SVSU women's soccer program is coming off arguably its best season in history of the program. First year head coach Michael O'Neill led the team to an overall record of 11-4-3 in 2014, advancing to the program's second ever NCAA Division II postseason appearance. The Lady Cardinals claimed their first-ever NCAA postseason victory in the first round against GLIAC foe Ohio Dominican, 1-0.
Leading the charge this year will be all-region honorees Presley Tibbetts and Claire Spleth. Spleth and Tibbetts were also named to the All-GLIAC First Team, with Spleth earning GLIAC Goalkeeper of the Year plaudits for the 2014 season. Also returning will be All-GLIAC Second Team honoree Ashley Henderson, who notched a team-high eight goals, including three game-winners and 18 points. Shelby Watts returns as well as the team's second-leading scorer with four goals and 10 points.
Saginaw Valley opens action for the 2015 season on the road, visiting Lewis on September 4th before continuing on the play at Wisconsin-Parkside on September 6th. The match with Parkside is a rematch of the 2014 NCAA Division II Playoffs Second Round, where the Rangers barely edged the Lady Cardinals by a 2-0 count. SVSU opens GLIAC action on September 18th at home against Ohio Dominican at 1:00 p.m.
