ST. LOUIS (Aug. 14, 2024) – The UIC women's soccer team has been ranked third in the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, as announced by the league office on Wednesday afternoon. Senior
Yulexi Diaz (Chicago, Ill./Eric Solorio Academy) and junior
Makenna Maloy (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) were named to the Preseason All-MVC First Team. Additionally, junior
Sophia Jaime (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) and redshirt senior
Shelsea Rigby (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) earned honorable mentions.
The Flames were picked third in the Valley's Preseason Coaches' Poll, as they bring in a talented group of newcomers to join a strong returning core that secured a trip to the MVC Tournament semifinals last season.
FIRST TEAM
Makenna Maloy had an impressive 2023 season, earning All-MVC First Team honors as a sophomore. She was a consistent offensive threat, scoring four goals and accumulating 11 points. The junior midfielder logged the most minutes on the team, making all 19 starts and totaling 1,609 minutes.
Yulexi Diaz, a 2023 All-MVC Second Team selection, started in 18 matches as a junior, contributing 1,463 minutes, the fourth most on the team. Diaz was instrumental on both sides of the field for the Flames, adding a goal to her tally last season.
HONORABLE MENTION
Sophia Jaime is coming off a strong 2023 campaign, earning a spot on the MVC Second Team. The junior midfielder played in all 19 matches, logging 1,062 minutes of playing time. During that stretch, she led the team with four goals and 12 points. Jamie also topped the Flames in shots (40) and shots on goal (26), securing her place in UIC's record books for a single season.
Redshirt senior
Shelsea Rigby brings veteran leadership to the Flames' defensive unit, which posted seven shutouts in the 2023 season. The relentless defender made 18 starts, amassing the team's second-highest minutes played (1,503).
MVC Preseason Poll
1. Missouri State 116 (7)
2. Drake 109 (3)
3. UIC 87
4. UNI 85
5. Valparaiso 83
6. Murray State 73 (1)
7. Belmont 54
8. Indiana State 42
9. Evansville 32
10. Illinois State 23
11. Southern Illinois 22
(First Place Votes)
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Fans are strongly encouraged to support NIL opportunities for UIC scholar-athletes through contributions to
The Chicago Collective.
FOLLOW THE FLAMES
For more information on UIC women's soccer, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_WSOC and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_wsoc and @uicflames).
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