KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Rogers State women's soccer with picked to finish ninth in the 2023 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced on Friday.
 
With 40 points in the poll, the Hillcats were tabbed to finish in the same spot they finished the 2022 season. RSU returns two of the five All-MIAA selections from last season. Vanessa Gonzalez and Sarah Ovalle combined for two goals and five points last season. They also played large roles in helping the Hillcats shutout opponents six times and only allowed more than two goals once.
 
Defending conference champion Central Missouri was selected as the favorite to repeat as the league's top team with nine first place votes and 119 points. Emporia State (two first place votes, 109 points), Northwest Missouri (one first place vote, 103 points), Fort Hays State (87 points) and Central Oklahoma (85 points) closed out the top five.
 
Washburn (66 points), Northeastern State (60 points), Missouri Western (51 points), RSU and Missouri Southern (25 points) rounded out the top 10. Nebraska-Kearney (22 points) and Newman (18 points) were also featured in the poll.
 
The Hillcats open the 2023 campaign on the road as they travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. on Friday, Sept. 1 to face off against Sioux Falls. They will play host to UT Tyler on Thursday, Sept. 7 in the home opener at Solider Field at 7 p.m.