The Missouri Valley College women’s soccer team will open its 2025 season next week and has been picked first in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released Friday.
The women’s soccer team finished the 2024 season undefeated and outright Heart regular season championship with a 10-0-1 record. The Vikings earned an automatic berth into the 2024 National Tournament, then hosted a game inside Volney C. Ashford Stadium for the first time in program-history, and advanced to the National site in Pensacola, Fla., the program’s first time since the 1991 tournament.
Leading the team is Head Coach Drew Hawkins, entering his 18th season with the program. Last season Hawkins was named the Heart Coach of the Year, led the team to an undefeated Heart title, and guided the program to its fifth-straight appearance at the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship.
Senior Defender Marta Carrasco Mesa returns, and became the first player in program-history to earn both the Heart Player of the Year and Heart Defensive Player of the Year, along with a first team all-conference selection. Carrasco Mesa was also selected as a second team All-American during the 2024 season. Also returning from last year’s team is Senior Forward Ashley Arribas, who was named Heart Offensive Player of the Year for the second time. Arribas became the first player in program-history to reach the 100 career points, scoring the game-winning goal against Truett McConnell (Ga.) to help the team advance to the National Site. Sophomore Defender Lucia Torres Vizcaino is also back, who became the first player in program-history to earn the Heart Freshman of the Year. Torres Vizcaino was a first team all-conference selection.
Also returning are three other Vikings, who were named all-conference first team, Senior Midfielder Judit Ferre, Senior Forward Marlene Flores and Senior Goalkeeper Marina Barbara Bujalance. Two more Vikings were named to the all-conference second team. Senior Midfielder Carla Carmona, and Senior Midfielder Madi Hudson.
Missouri Valley will open its season with a home game against Cumberlands (Ky.) on August 23 at 12 p.m. Conference play begins on Sep. 9, hosting Benedictine (Kan.). You can view the results of the poll below.
Heart Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll:
1. Missouri Valley College-195 points (13 place votes)
2. Central Methodist (Mo.)-175.98 points (1 first place vote)
3. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)-168.98 points
4. Benedictine (Kan.)-154.98 points
5. Clarke (Iowa)-144.06 points
6. Culver-Stockton (Mo.)-119.00 points
7. Baker (Kan.) -104.02 points
8. Mount Mercy (Iowa)-85.96 points
9. Graceland (Iowa)-84.00 points
10. Park (Mo.)-76.96 points
11. William Penn (Iowa)-55.02 points
12. Missouri Baptist-42.00 points
13. Grand View (Iowa)-39.06 points
14. William Woods (Mo.)-22.96 points