Women’s soccer excited to compete heading into 2021 season

MITCHELL, S.D. – Set to kick off the 2021 campaign this Saturday in exhibition play, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's soccer team is optimistic for the upcoming season in the face of great preparation. Selected to finish seventh in the Great Plains Athletic Conference preseason polls and coming off a trip to the postseason playoffs in 2020, DWU is excited to continue its momentum according to head coach Clayson Glasgow.

 "Every day we strive to maintain our team culture and do the things that add value to our program. We try not to focus on preseason rankings, but rather on things we can control like our practice and game mentality. I am very proud of our upperclassmen who are doing a fantastic job modeling our younger players and to be honest, it's just great to be back playing."

 Though not overly invested in the preseason selections entering the 2021 campaign, the Tigers made enormous strides a season ago after finishing better than expected during the 2020 campaign. Dakota Wesleyan jumped out to a 4-0 start, finished sixth in the conference standings and qualified for the GPAC postseason tournament for the first time since 2014. With six seniors on the roster and four returning All-GPAC performers, DWU looks to take the conference by surprise once again this fall.

 "Offensively, we will be in a great position with the return of Josephine Bardsley (Tea, S.D.), Alondra Partida (Salinas, Calif.) and Kamryn Harrop (Willard, Utah), "expressed Glasgow on the Tiger's offensive attack in 2021. "Jozy is great on the dribble and has a great work ethic, while Kamryn can cover a lot of ground. Alondra is also technically sound and superb on the attack."

 Bardsley, who received All-GPAC First Team accolades in 2020, started in every match last fall registering seven goals and a team-high six assists at midfielder. Making 11 starts last season, Partida returns for her third season with DWU following seven goals and three assists during the 2020 campaign. Harrop, one of three All-GPAC Honorable Mention selections for the Tigers in 2020, appeared in 16 matches and netted three goals on 15 shot attempts.

 "Defensively, I am excited to see us defend as a unit both laterally and vertically," furthered the eighth-year veteran head coach. "Our goalkeeping options, though young, are eager to prove themselves.

 "Returning to cement the backline is senior veteran Kassidy Johnson (Hartford, S.D.), who will be serving as one of our team captains. Our younger players are going to surprise a lot of teams."

 Johnson, who returned to the pitch for Dakota Wesleyan in 2020 after a season-ending injury in 2019, made 15 starts last season at the forward position and was tabbed as an All-GPAC performer. The Hartford, S.D., native along with the DWU defensive unit limited opponents to just 18 goals during the regular season after surrendering 48 goals in 2019.

 Despite a strong defensive core set to return, the Tigers are left to fill the void at the goalkeeper position as all three goalies on the DWU roster have yet to make an appearance at the collegiate level. Yet, Glasgow conveyed an overall sense of optimism and excitement at the rising level of competition amongst his three goalkeepers.

 "They have been challenging each other at practice and have created a remarkably competitive atmosphere. I am excited to see how all three of these ladies adjust, especially with Taylor returning and Hannah and Isabella playing at a competitive level in club and high school."

 The lone goalkeeper recruit for Dakota Wesleyan in 2020, Taylor Stermon (Crosby, Texas) returns for her sophomore campaign after starting for three seasons at Crosby High School. Meanwhile, true freshmen Isabella Gregg (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and Hannah Trumbull (Casper, Wyo.) are also strong contenders for the position this fall. Gregg clocked over 1,800 minutes in goal and recorded eight shutouts during her junior season at Valley View High School while Trumbull started every match at goalie for Natrona County High School.

 With four other new faces set to join the DWU roster this fall, Glasgow and the Tigers are lauded with both seasoned veterans and young talent creating a balanced attack on the pitch and a strong culture in the locker room.

 "Our player's mentality, specifically how they approach the game, is that anyone can come into the program and compete for a starting position," mentioned Glasgow on maximizing this team's talent. "Ultimately, this creates a certain level of expectations and a willingness to compete on the field and in life as well. I believe our newcomers as a whole share the same passion for success, willingness to learn and hard work as our returners."

  The women's soccer schedule features a total of 19 matches this fall including eight home matches and a pair of games versus 2020 NAIA national qualifiers in Briar Cliff and Concordia. DWU commences the 2021 season in exhibition play as they host Iowa Lakes Community College at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex.