FARGO, N.D. – The Drake University women's soccer team opens the 2016 season at North Dakota State Friday night at 7 p.m.
 
Drake is the defending Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions while North Dakota State is the defending Summit League regular season champion. The two schools have played eight matches all-time with the Bulldogs owning a 5-2-1 advantage in the series. Drake has been tabbed the MVC's top preseason team as the team brings back eight starters from last season, including three that claimed the league's top three individual awards.
 
Senior Rebecca Rodgers was the 2015 MVC Player of the Year, and she's joined by fellow seniors Sarah Grace Nicholson -- the 2015 MVC Defensive Player of the Year -- and Brooke Dennis -- the 2015 MVC Goalkeeper of the Year. All three were selected to the 15-player 2016 MVC preseason unit. 
 
In her career, Rodgers is a three-time all-MVC pick, and she led the conference with 10 goals and 23 total points in 2015. Last season, her three game-winning goals tied for second-best in the MVC. 
 
Nicholson, meanwhile, spearheaded a Drake defensive unit that allowed just five goals in league play as the Bulldogs won their first regular-season title since 2006.
 
Dennis, meanwhile, led the league in conference games with 45 saves and a .900 save percentage, with two shutouts. She became the first-ever Drake goalie to win the league's top goalkeeper honor.
 
Senior Kayla Armstrong also represents the Bulldogs on the pre-season team in 2016 as an honorable mention. Armstrong scored three goals and handed out a team-high four assists in 2015. Also returning are sophomores Alyssa Brand and Linda Fiorito, who were each picked to the MVC All-Freshman team after outstanding first seasons.
 
Drake continues the 2016 season on the road next weekend with matches at UIC and Wisconsin on Aug. 26 and Aug. 28, respectively. The Bulldogs open their home slate on Sept. 2 against South Dakota.