In the 2024 edition of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Bemidji State University Women’s Soccer team was voted to finish third in the conference standings announced by the league Tuesday morning.

The two-time defending NSIC Tournament Champion Beavers earned 170 points in the poll finishing behind Minnesota State University, Mankato and St. Cloud State University.

2024 NSIC Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Minnesota State (10) 186
2. St. Cloud State (4) 179
3. Bemidji State 170
4. Mary (1) 151
5. Augustana 147
6. Concordia-St. Paul 137
7. Northern State 129
8. Minnesota Duluth 97
9. Minot State 84
10. Southwest Minn. State 76
11. Wayne State 70
12. Winona State 63
13. Sioux Falls 46
14. MSU Moorhead 36
15. Minnesota Crookston 18
( ) first place votes

Senior midfielder Maria Stocke was selected as the Beavers’ Offensive Player to Watch for the second consecutive season while junior Emma Huelsnitz was tabbed BSU’s Defensive Player to Watch. Northern State University’s Megan Fastenau was voted the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while University of Mary’s Mo Malone is the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

The Beavers posted another banner year in 2023 after finishing fourth in the NSIC standings and won their second consecutive NSIC Tournament Championship and earned a spot in their third straight NCAA Tournament.

2024 will mark the 23rd season for Head coach Jim Stone who is returning 22 letterwinners from last season while adding 12 newcomers to the team.

Bemidji State officially opens the 2024 season Sept. 6 with a non-conference match-up against regional opponent Missouri Western State University at home Sept. 6 and Drury University, Sept. 8.