Sangamon Sun

Illinois College's women's soccer team has been projected to finish fourth in the 2025 Midwest Conference (MWC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, according to an announcement by the league.

The Lady Blues ended their 2024 season with a record of 10-6-3 overall and a conference mark of 2-4-2. Their ten wins last year were the second highest in program history, coming just one victory short of tying the school record. Senior Olivia Ralston, an All-Midwest Conference selection, will lead Illinois College this season alongside fellow seniors Emma Huelskamp, Abby Love, and Kassie Weideman.

Lake Forest College was chosen as the favorite to win the conference title after securing five first-place votes and totaling 61 points in the poll. Last year, Lake Forest shared the regular season crown for its eighth MWC championship. Lawrence University was picked second with four first-place votes and 60 points; they won their first conference title since 2000 last season and went on to capture the MWC Tournament championship, earning their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010.

The upcoming season begins Friday, August 29 with non-conference matches involving seven teams. Conference play is set to start on Saturday, September 27.

The MWC Women's Soccer Tournament is scheduled for November 7-8, featuring the top four teams from regular-season standings competing at the campus of the highest seed for an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Poll results placed Grinnell College third (50 points), followed by Illinois College (36), Ripon College (30), Beloit College and Monmouth College tied for sixth (28 each), Knox College eighth (16), and Cornell College ninth (15).

""