SIGHTS SET ON POSTSEASON: Women's soccer prepares to make run in 2019

MITCHELL, S.D. - After missing the Great Plains Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament by one game last season, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's soccer team has its' attention focused on returning to postseason play for the first time since 2014 when they made it to the conference semifinals.

 A factor to returning to the conference tournament will be winning close games. Last season, the Tigers dropped four contests by one goal. Turning those losses into draws or wins could be the push that DWU needs.

 "Last year we lost a few very close games for which, in my humble opinion, played a sufficient role in us not advancing to the playoffs," head coach Clayson Glasgow said. "However, we have moved on and we are very excited about the group this year."

 It will help to win those close games with DWU returning its' best attacker in senior Alyssa Weidler. The Sioux Falls, S.D., native tied for first in the GPAC with 16 goals and led the conference with 0.94 goals per game. She also sits just nine goals away from tying the all-time career goals scored in DWU women's soccer history.

 Weidler ranked 28^th in the NAIA in goals per game and 30^th in total goals. She recorded a career-high four goals against Waldorf University just two games into last season. In her career she has tallied 29 goals, six assists and 84 shots on goal.

 "This is a player that is very eager to get the season underway," Glasgow said of his senior forward. "She has been putting in work – a matter fact, her overall attitude in front of the goal has been clinical this preseason. Alyssa made the All-GPAC First Team last year and I believe that is a motivator. If I'm a defender I will certainly hate defending her right now."

 Other players that will bring a steady force to the Tiger lineup include Jocelyn Behm, Kaylynn Anziano, Cierra Asmann, Josephine Bardsley, Kindra Clark and Hannah Bowes.

 Behm enters her senior season as the team captain. Last year she played in 13 games and started 12 games as a defender. Behm recorded seven shots and three shots on goal, while leading the team on the defensive front.

 Two other seniors the Tigers will turn to for leadership will be Anziano and Asmann. Anziano was another leader on defense, while Asmann held the midfield together throughout the season. Anziano played in all 17 games and started in 16 contests. She also recorded a shot and a shot on goal. Asmann played in 10 games throughout the 2018 season, while tallying two shots and two shots on goal.

 Bardsley is entering her second season with DWU after having an impressive end to last year. She played in 15 games and started eight games. She notched three goals and an assist, while finishing with 23 shots and 14 shots on goal. Her best game came against Morningside College as she tallied two goals off three shots.

 Clark is entering her junior season with the Tigers after being a solid component to the rotation in her first two years. She played in 15 games and started five games in 2018. Bowes looks to lead the team in the net for her junior campaign after two impressive seasons. Last season she started 12 games and finished with 76 saves. In her career, Bowes has played in 31 games and tallied 176 saves.

 Newcomers to the Tigers in 2019 that look to make an immediate impact include Alondra Partida, Megan Hertzog and Alissa Betz.

 Partida is a transfer from Hartnell College and tallied 15 goals and 25 assists throughout her high school career. Hertzog is another transfer seeking to make an impact as she also comes to DWU from Hartnell College. At Hartnell, Hertzog was named All-Conference First Team. Betz is the third transfer to DWU as she comes from Gillette College. She was named Honorable Mention Division 9 in her time with Gillette.

 "We've put together a well-balanced group," Glasgow mentioned. "All of our newcomers came from great soccer programs and we're very excited to have them here at DWU. An awesome group of student-athletes who will represent the University in its highest form. I'm truly excited to see the girls perform."

 The season kicks off with a non-conference home matchup against Waldorf University at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex. The Tigers host NCAA Division II opponent Black Hills State University on Friday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. The conference opener will be against Dordt University on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m., while Senior Day will be played against Concordia University on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.