CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference Women's Soccer Head Coaches have made their preseason predictions for the 2021 season. Buffalo was selected to take home the 2021 MAC Women’s Soccer regular season title, while Bowling Green was tabbed to win its fourth straight tournament championship.
Bowling Green received 132 points and five first place votes to finish second in the poll. Ball State was picked to place third in the poll, followed by Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Miami, Ohio, Kent State, Akron, Toledo and Northern Illinois.
Buffalo returns 22 players, including all 11 starters, from last season and will welcome six freshman to a team that went 6-1-1 in the spring.
The UB offense will return all goal scorers from last season, led by Marcy Barberic who scored nine goals and added an assist in a historic campaign that saw her earn Second Team All-American and MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors as well as several other regional recognitions. The Bulls also return a veteran core of defenders, led by MAC Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Callaghan, who anchored the UB defense while also contributing on set pieces, recording three assists. In net, the Bulls will be led by All-MAC First Team selection Emily Kelly who continues to climb the UB record books as she finished the spring season with six wins, four shutouts, 28 saves, a .0.61 goals against average and a .848 save percentage.
The MAC women’s soccer season begins on Thursday, August 19th, while conference play is set to begin on Thursday, September 23rd. The season will culminate with the MAC Women’s Soccer Championship, which takes place October 31 (Quarterfinals), November 4 (Semifinals) and November 7 (Finals).
2021 MAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Places Votes)
1. Buffalo (7) – 136 points
2. Bowling Green (5) – 132 points
3. Ball State – 119 points
4. Western Michigan – 93 points
5. Eastern Michigan – 90 points
6. Central Michigan – 83 points
7. Miami – 71 points
8. Ohio – 67 points
9. Kent State – 53 points
10. Akron – 37 points
11. Toledo – 34 points
12. Northern Illinois – 21 points
Tournament Champion: Bowling Green (6), Buffalo (4), Ball State (1), Western Michigan (1)
