Wisconsin Soccer Central

The University of Wisconsin women's soccer team, which set a program record with 19 wins last season, is ranked 14th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Preseason Top 25.

Coach Paula Wilkins and the Badgers (19-3-2) won the Big Ten Conference tournament for the first time since 2005 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2014 before falling to Central Florida 3-2. They are one of three Big Ten teams in the preseason coaches' poll, along with No. 6 Penn State and No. 24 Rutgers.

UW lost Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year Genevieve Richard and forward Cara Walls (Wauwatosa East), who led the Badgers in goals each of the past four seasons, to graduation. But midfielder Rose Lavelle, an NSCAA second-team All-American last season, returns along with All-Big Ten midfielder Kinley McNicoll and defender Brianna Stelzer, a second-team all-conference selection a year ago.

The Badgers play host to Marquette in their lone exhibition match Aug. 13 at the McClimon Complex, then kick off the regular season at home against Western Michigan on Aug. 21. Marquette also received votes in the preseason coaches' poll.

The NSCAA will release its Division II preseason national rankings Thursday and the Division III polls on Friday.

• The UW soccer teams are set to appear on the Big Ten Network three times during the regular season this fall. The Badger women's Thursday night games at Penn State (6 p.m. Sept. 17) and at home against Michigan (7 p.m. Oct. 15) are on the BTN schedule, as is the men's match against Maryland (noon Sept. 27).
• Chandra Eigenberger (Ashwaubenon/UW-Green Bay), who wrapped up her career with the Phoenix last fall, was named a volunteer assistant at her alma mater by first-year coach Kim Brandão. Eigenberger had three goals and six assists in 67 games for Green Bay and spent time on trial with the National Women's Soccer League's Portland Thorns in the spring. "Her commitment, passion for the game and experience at the professional level will be a great asset to the program," Brandão said in a news release.