BURNSVILLE, Minn. — For the fourth consecutive season, the Bemidji State University Women's Soccer team was voted to finish third in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll announced by the conference Monday morning. The Beavers garnered 193 points in the preseason poll while junior Madisen Fritel was named the Beavers' Preseason Player to Watch and senior Ella Wade the Beavers' Preseason Defensive Player to Watch.
 
The Beavers were voted to finish in the top three in the NSIC Preseason Poll for the fifth consecutive season and eight of the last nine seasons. Bemidji State has finished third in the NSIC regular season standings in six of the last eight seasons including tying for second last season.
 
Defending NSIC Regular Season and Tournament Champions Minnesota State University, Mankato were picked to win the NSIC in the preseason coaches' poll. Minnesota State received 13 first place votes and tallied 223 points, ranking them 19 points ahead second place Concordia University-St. Paul, which tallied 204 points and the other three first place votes. Bemidji State came in third with 193 points while Augustana was fourth with 174 points.
 
"I think what excites me most about this years teams is the togetherness that they share," said head coach Jim Stone. "We had a great spring together and the group really bonded and created both an identity and a hunger. They are ready to lead and welcome our very talented freshmen in. I think the combination of our leadership, youth & talent is a great recipe and I'm excited to see how it is lived out this fall both on and off the field."
 
Junior forward Madisen Fritel was tabbed as the Beavers' Preseason Offensive Player to Watch after appearing in all 21 matches last season and totaled seven points off three goals and an assist.
 
"Maddie lives out the values of our program as well as anyone on our roster," continued Stone. "When she plays you can see how much she loves the game and her teammates. She makes an investment in every training session which pushes her teammates and has allowed her to grow and develop. She's an incredible athlete who puts a lot of pressure on defensives and allows us to play off of her."
 
Senior midfielder Ella Wade was named the Beavers' Preseason Defensive Player to Watch coming off a junior season where she started all but one match for the Beavers and posted a career-high nine points off two goals and five assists while helping the Beavers' defense finish second in the NSIC by holding opponents to just 0.52 goals per game.
 
"Ella is a gritty player with a big heart who's work-rate is second to none," said Stone. "She breaks up passing lanes with exquisite timing, always one step ahead of the attack: she tracks back to make game saving tackles when a teammate or line has been broken. She's the windshield wiper for our backline and the starting block for our attack. She has the technical ability to both help us build out of the back or bypass the midfield."
 
Bemidji State returns 20 letterwinners from the 2025 season where they finished tied for second in the NSIC standings and made their fourth appearance in the NCAA DII Women's Soccer Tournament over the last five seasons. Stone has added 13 newcomers to the squad that look to make immediate impacts on a roster that features 20 underclassmen.
 
Bemidji State aims to qualify for its 17^th consecutive postseason when the 2026 season officially opens August 28 at Chet Anderson Stadium when the Beavers host regional opponent Missouri Western State University. The Beavers kick-off the new season with an exhibition at Chet Anderson Stadium Friday, August 21 against College of Saint Benedict.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State soccer program, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaverSoccer), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversSoccer).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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