BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) has announced the 2025 preseason coaches' poll for women's soccer. Minnesota State Moorhead was selected to finish 15th in the initial rankings while senior Lilly Johnson and junior Lilly Allen were named the Dragon 'players to watch'. 

Moorhead earned 37 points in the preseason rankings that were topped by Minnesota State with 224 points and 14 first-place votes. Concordia-St. Paul and St. Cloud State earned the other first-place nods. Johnson was tabbed as MSUM's 'Offensive Player to Watch' while Allen was noted as the 'Defensive Player to Watch'. 

"There's been a lot of player and staff changes this year as the team moves from a 'here for something to do' to a 'here to do something' mentality," said MSUM head soccer coach Scott Forster, who begins his second season in 2025. "After a year of learning, our returning group, bolstered by some exciting freshman, is prepared to attack the challenging schedule inside the Northern Sun Conference. With eight seniors,  all will be able to make an impact in the game.It's a great year to be a Dragon!"

Johnson earns the preseason recognition after a strong junior campaign which saw her play in all 18 matches for MSUM with 16 starts. The North Branch, Minn., native scored a pair of goals on the year (with six shots on goal) as well as one assist. Johnson was fifth on the roster in total minutes in 2024, playing a total of 1,160 ticks and her five points were tied for the team lead. 

"Lilly (Johnson) is an exciting player to watch. Her change of pace, individual ball skill and work ethic for the team are first rate," said Forster of the senior. "She is a committed teammate and works hard every day in training to be the best she can be. As a senior she's guaranteed to leave it all on the field this year."

Allen joined the Dragons in the spring of 2025 after transferring from NCAA Division II Colorado Mesa. The Missoula, Mont., native played in six career matches in two seasons in Grand Junction, tallying 47 total minutes. Allen was also an RMAC All-Academic student-athlete with the Mavericks. 

"Lilly (Allen) joined the team this spring as a junior transfer. Her character and spirit highlight the best aspects of being a Dragon," said Forster of the Colorado Mesa transfer. "She was voted captain within weeks of arriving on campus displaying leadership right from the start. Lilly plays with a confidence and composure that will make an impact and she sets standards for others to rise too."

MSUM is slated to kickoff the 2025 campaign at home against Black Hills State University on Friday, September 5. The match is slated to begin at 3 p.m.