CLEVELAND, OH - Defending North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) champion Denison has been selected as the favorite in the 2025 women’s soccer preseason poll, according to voting by the league’s coaches.
After securing the program's league-leading 12th NCAC title a season ago, the Big Red collected seven first-place votes and 63 points to top the preseason ballot. DePauw earned 51 points to finish second, while Wittenberg picked up the final first-place vote and 43 points to claim third. John Carroll and Wooster tied for fourth with 34 points apiece, while Ohio Wesleyan placed sixth just behind the pair with 33 points. Oberlin (19) and Kenyon (11) rounded out the eight-team poll.
Denison enters fall competition under the guidance of third-year head coach
Sarah Brink and her staff,
Paul Wise and Dr. Veerendra Lele, who earned NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year after compiling a 5-1-1 mark in league play last season. In 2024, the Big Red offense produced 74 points on 26 goals and 22 assists through 18 games, while the defense recorded nine shutouts and an .810 save percentage. In league play, Denison topped the league with 41 points (14 goals, 13 assists) and posted an .833 save percentage after allowing just two goals and recording four shutouts. Additionally, the Big Red return four All-NCAC performers, including seniors
Molly Noga (Springboro, OH/Archbishop Alter) and
Sarah Sollinger (Evanston, IL/Evanston Township), junior
Mara McGlone (Worthington, OH/Worthington Kilbourne), and sophomore
Maryn Zavislak (Westerville, OH/Olentangy).
The 2025 NCAC women's soccer season begins on August 29, with four NCAC teams playing in non-conference action. Conference play is scheduled to kick off on October 4 with DePauw at John Carroll, Wooster at Kenyon, Wittenberg at Oberlin, and Denison at Ohio Wesleyan.
2025 North Coast Athletic Conference
Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll |
| Place |
Institution (1st Place Votes) |
Total Points |
| 1 |
Denison (7) |
63 |
| 2 |
DePauw |
51 |
| 3 |
Wittenberg (1) |
43 |
| T4 |
John Carroll |
34 |
| T4 |
Wooster |
34 |
| 6 |
Ohio Wesleyan |
33 |
| 7 |
Oberlin |
19 |
| 8 |
Kenyon |
11 |