The University of Minnesota Duluth soccer team was picked to finish 11th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference preseason coaches poll Thursday. Bulldog senior goaltender Kaycee Chavez was listed as a NSIC Defensive Player to Watch, while junior attacker Jessica Eischens was named a NSIC Offensive Player to Watch.


UMD is coming off a 2-12-3 overall 2024 season with plenty of room to improve in any number of areas. 


"We are planning on last years' youth being this year's difference - makers," said head coach Greg Cane, who will begin his 32nd season on the Bulldog bench in 2025. "There is a strong leadership team among our projected starters, including captains Eischens, fifth-year senior Morgan Eckerle, senior Miriam Marsan and senior Malory Russ. We expect the NSIC race to be tight, as usual, and plan to be a factor in the end."


Chavez, who transferred to the Bulldogs last season from Northern Idaho Colelge, started 15 games for UMD and posted a .750 saves percentage and 2.07 goals against average. Eischens logged the third most minutes by a Bulldog field player in 2024 (1,428) and recorded a goal -- a game-winner - on 11 shots in addition to an assist.


UMD's preseason camp gets underway this upcoming Monday, August 18th. The Bulldogs will open the season on Friday, Sept. 5 in Houghton, Mich. against Michigan Tech University.