Storm look to build on back-to-back NCAA Tournament trips
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament runs, the Simpson women's soccer team enters the 2025 season with momentum, experience, and its eyes set on an American Rivers Conference title.
The Storm were picked second in the 2025 A-R-C Coaches Preseason Poll, earning 57 points and two first-place votes following a 15-win campaign that included a 7-1 conference record and a runner-up finish in the league tournament.
"We are excited to see what this year's team is capable of," said head coach Jeremy Reinert. "We have a group that is hungry to put their stamp on this program and believe that they can put us in a position to compete for an A-R-C Championship."
Simpson returns six starters from last year's NCAA squad, anchored by all-region goalkeeper Meredith Downs and one of the league's top defensive trios in Elle Street, Avery Plathe, and Pepper Earle. Offensively, Anna Eide and Ally Hoffa return to bolster the attack, while 2023 first-team all-conference honoree Brissa Valadez and 2024 A-R-C Rookie of the Year Savannah Schneider add proven production to the veteran core.
The Storm open their new season with three consecutive road tests beginning with Ill. Wesleyan on Aug. 29 at 5 p.m.
LAST SEASON IN REVIEW
- Simpson returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year, defeating Wis.-La Crosse in a 2-1 overtime victory before bowing out with a second-round loss to eventual national champion WashU.
- The Storm tallied 15 wins overall, the sixth 15+ win campaign in program history.
- Simpson went 7-1 in conference play to finish second in league standings.
- The Storm ranked as high as No. 25 in the country and No. 2 in the region.
- For the third-straight season, Cassie Nash was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Team, earning third team honors.
- A program-record five players were selected to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region team. Graduates Nash, Hailey Kowzan and Julia Wagoner were joined by returners Meredith Downs and Elle Street on the team.
- Simpson also had a record number of all-conference honorees, including five first team performers and four honorable mention recipients. Returning sophomore Savannah Schneider was named the league's inaugural Rookie of the Year.
- The Storm went 9-1-1 inside Buxton Stadium, celebrating a 17-match unbeaten streak at home after a 6-0-1 start to the year.
- Simpson averaged nearly three goals per game while outscoring opponents 61-21.
KEY RETURNERS (2024 STATS)
- Meredith Downs, junior goalkeeper (13-3-3 record, 1.16 goals against average)
- Elle Street, senior defender (21 matches, 1828 minutes)
- Avery Plathe, senior defender (21 matches, 1590 minutes)
- Anna Eide, junior forward (19 matches, 3 goals, 3 assists)
- Ally Hoffa, junior midfielder (21 matches, 5 goals, 3 assists)
- Savannah Schneider, sophomore forward (21 matches, 5 goals, 1 assist)
2025 AMERICAN RIVERS CONFERENCE WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
1. Loras (20-0-2, 8-0 A-R-C) - 63 points
2. Simpson (15-3-3, 7-1 A-R-C) - 57 points
3. Wartburg (10-7-3, 5-2-1 A-R-C) - 51 points
4. Dubuque (9-5-4, 4-3-1 A-R-C) - 42 points
5. Central (11-7-2, 3-3-2 A-R-C) - 35 points
6. Luther (2-9-7, 2-3-3 A-R-C) - 29 points
7. Nebraska Wesleyan (6-10-2, 1-5-2 A-R-C) - 22 points
8. Coe (3-13-2, 0-7-1 A-R-C) - 14 points
9. Buena Vista (7-10-1, 1-7 A-R-C) - 11 points
