The Murray State women’s soccer team has been voted sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) preseason poll for the 2024 season, as announced by the MVC on Wednesday morning.
MVC Preseason Rankings Overview
Missouri State and Drake are the top two favorites in the conference, with Missouri State leading the poll with 116 votes, including seven first-place votes. Drake followed closely with 109 votes and three first-place votes. UIC, Northern Iowa, and Valparaiso complete the top five.
Although the Racers were ranked outside the top five in the preseason poll, they were notably the only other team to receive a first-place vote, signaling some confidence in their potential for the upcoming season.
Key Player Spotlight: Mary Hardy
Junior forward Mary Hardy was named to the Preseason First Team All-Conference. Hardy, a native of Ballwin, Missouri, earned First Team honors from the MVC after an impressive 2023 season and was previously recognized as a member of the 2022 MVC All-Newcomer team.
In the 2023 season, Hardy was among the top three in the conference in several key categories, including shots per game, points, points per game, and goals, making her a player to watch as the 2024 season unfolds.
Season Opener
Murray State will kick off their 2024 campaign on Tuesday, August 15, with an away match against Cincinnati. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at Gettler Stadium.
Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Missouri State 116 (7)
2. Drake 109 (3)
3. UIC 87
4. UNI 85
5. Valparaiso 83
6. Murray State 73 (1)
7. Belmont 54
8. Indiana State 42
9. Evansville 32
10. Illinois State 23
11. Southern Illinois 22
