ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Drake women's soccer team had four student-athletes recognized with Missouri Valley Conference preseason awards while predicted to end up fourth in the preseason poll voted on by MVC coaches. 

Emma Nagel, the team's leading scorer (five goals, one assist) from a year ago, is an MVC Preseason First Team selection. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Madelyn Smith made the MVC All-Freshman Team last season and has been put on the Preseason Honorable Mention list for the 2023 campaign. 

Newcomers Laura Riesenbeck (5th-year transfer defender from Central Methodist) and Angela Gutierrez (freshman forward from Oakdale, Minn.) also earned Preseason Honorable Mention status from the MVC. 

FIRST TEAM
GK Nikki Coryell, Valpo, Sr.
D Yulexi Diaz, UIC, Jr.
D Nicole Norfolk, Valpo, 5th
D Carly Raunig, Missouri State, Sr.
M Grace O'Keefe, Missouri State, Jr.
F Hailey Chambliss, Missouri State, So.
F Lindsey DuSatko, Valpo, Sr.
F Sophia Jaime, UIC, So.
F Lauren Heinsch, UNI, Sr.
F Emma Nagel, Drake, Sr.
F Saraya Young, Murray State, Gr.
 
HONORABLE MENTION
D Jenna Anderson, Missouri State, Jr.
D Morgan Bodker, Murray State, Jr.
D Laura Reisenbeck, Drake, 5th
D Adelaide Wolfe, Indiana State, So.
M Abby Couch, Missouri State, Sr.
M Mary Hardy, Murray State, So.
M Ashley Harrington, UNI, Sr.
M Kelsi McLaughlin, Illinois State, So.
M Maci Pekmezian, Belmont, Sr.
M Madelyn Smith, Drake, So.
F Hailey Autenrieb, Evansville, Jr.
F Angela Guitierrez, Drake, Fr.
F Addy Joiner, Valpo, Jr.
F Julia Kristensen, Missouri State, Jr.
F Emma Spotak, Southern Illinois, Sr.
 
PRESEASON POLL
Missouri State (10)       120
Valparaiso (1)                107
UIC                                     92
Drake                                 84
Murray State                    81
UNI                                    65
Belmont                            41
Southern Illinois              39
Illinois State                      37
Indiana State                    31
Evansville                          29