The University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team was picked to finish ninth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason coaches poll released Monday. Two seniors – forward Jackie Jares and defender Rachel Boelke were named 2023 NSIC Players to Watch.

Jares led the Bulldogs in scoring a season ago, with four goals – including a game-winner – and five assists for 13 points over 15 starts. The Muskego, Wisc. native will serve as one of three captains this fall, and has compiled 20 points on seven goals and six assists over her career.

Boelke – a standout 400-meter runner for the Bulldogs on the track – returns to UMD as a 2022 NSIC First Team All-Conference selection after a three-point (1g, 1a) junior campaign.  A product of Eden Prairie, Minn., Boelke helped the Bulldogs to five shutouts in 2022 and led the team with 1,404 minutes played.

UMD finished one spot out of the NSIC postseason last fall after having posted an overall record of 8-7-3 and an NSIC record of 7-5-3 – its best league record since the 2017 season.

The Bulldogs will open the 2023 season in Marquette, Mich. against Northern Michigan University on August 31. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CT.