EAGLES RISING: OKWU soccer No. 5 in men's poll, No. 12 for ladies
Despite an exodus of some of the top talent in the nation, including multiple All-Americans, Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s men’s soccer team still fared outstanding in Wednesday’s 2022-23 NAI Men’s Soccer Top 25 Preseason Poll.
The nation’s coaches voted the OKWU Eagles into No. 5 spot, which is where they sat in the final poll of the 2021 season.
The OKWU Lady Eagles, meanwhile, who bid good-bye to their second-leading scorer and other important components off last year’s NAIA national tourney team, populated the No. 12 spot in the women’s preseason poll.
The season openers are set for later this month.
Following is are preliminary season previews for both the Eagles and Lady Eagles.
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OKWU ladies
OKWU blitzed to a 20-2-1 record last season and advanced two rounds deep into the NAIA tourney.
With Ivan Ristic as head coach, OKWU is unbeaten (26-0) the past two seasons in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Continuing that streak might be a challenge this season following the departure of Marjolen Nekesa, who ripped 25 goals and piled up 12 assists last season.
She is just part of the losses — due to graduation or spent playing eligibility — off last year’s squad.
But, Ristic still welcomes back several high-talent veterans, led by Laura Maria (31 goals, 14 assists, 76 points and seven game-winning goals).
Ranked No. 12, the Lady Eagles are on the fringe of great expectations and the growing momentum of tradition.
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OKWU men
The Eagles have been so close to a national title.
Two seasons ago they played in the NAIA championship final, coming up just short.
In the years prior to that, they’ve made multiple appearances in the quarterfinals or semifinals.
Last season, the Eagles (21-3-0) suffered an unexpected loss in the quarterfinals, which could fuel their momentum going into this season.
They were the only team other than No. 1 ranked Keiser (Fla.) to receive a first-place vote in Wednesday’s preseason poll.
Keiser (16-3-1 last year) pulled in 17 of 18 first-place votes while OKWU received the other one.
Ahead of OKWU — which is coached by Jamie Peterson — in the poll are No. 2 Mobile (Ala.) (18-3-1), NO. 3 Central Methodist (Mo.) (22-1) and No. 4 Columbia (Mo.) (15-3-3).
OKWU should be greatly boosted by the return off the injury list of attacker Stefan Cvetanovic.
Cvetanovic hasn’t played since the fall of 2020.
Despite missing half of the 2020 season, he still led the nation in scoring (33 goals, nine assists). His career totals are 75 goals, 25 assists, 175 points, 13 game-winning goals and 134 shots on goal.
Key veterans off last year’s 23-win team also are back.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: OKWU men's soccer ranked No. 5, Lady Eagles No. 12 in women's poll
