A mixture of familiar faces and new blood makes up Head Coach Jen Dyson's 2022 women's soccer roster. After finishing with a 5-11 record a season ago, the fifth-year head coach has made it evident that there will be a new standard set this season for her team.
The Prairie Wolves open up their 2022 campaign with eight non-conference games in which the first three are set to take place inside Abel Stadium starting Thursday, September 1. The always tough American Rivers Conference schedule puts Nebraska Wesleyan on the road for four of their seven matchups including back-to-back trips to Central College and Wartburg College to close out the regular season.
Coaching Staff
Jen Dyson is entering her fifth season as head coach of the Nebraska Wesleyan University women's soccer team. In her first four years at the helm, Dyson has put together of record of 32-49 (.395). Last season, the Prairie Wolves went 5-11 and were awarded their fourth straight United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award.
"The returning group has been through a lot of adversity and has managed to get through COVID-19," Dyson said. "That experience coupled with the youth and competitive mentality of the incoming group has created a fun, driven, and dedicated team."
Alongside Dyson on the coaching staff are assistant coach Rose Hull and goalkeeping coach Lexi Harris.
"We are incredibly lucky to have Rose and Lexi on staff," Dyson said. "Not only do they bring a great knowledge of the game, but their energy and standards they hold the team to, allow us to grow immensely each training."
Goalkeepers
Folsom Lake College transfer Alizsabeth Sanne (freshman, Cameron Park, CA) and Papillion, Nebraska native Jena Schultz (freshman, Papillion-Lavista South HS) will get the nod between the pipes this season for Coach Dyson. Although they both enter the season as a freshman, there are high hopes for the girls in blue.
"Alizsabeth comes to us with collegiate experience and Jena has played on one of the most successful club teams in the area," Dyson said. "Already they have worked off the energy of one another and are pushing to improve daily."
Defenders
The Prairie Wolves' last line of defense is sprinkled with some experience and youth. Simone Collins (senior, Lincoln, NE) and Natalie Cummins (sophomore, Omaha, NE) saw playing time in all 16 games last season and were a huge factor in forcing their opponents to go 131-230 in shots on goal.
"Simone and Natalie were important parts last year and can use that to guide the ladies behind them," Dyson said.
Hannah Ernst (junior, Lincoln, NE), Trenan Wilson (junior, Papillion, NE), and a handful of first-years provide plenty of depth in defense.
"There are some great opportunities for our back line to have some new faces step forward," Dyson said.
Despite being listed as a defender on the roster, Coach Dyson considers Kaeding Rassfeld (junior, Lincoln, NE) the wild card of her team this season. Rassfeld's skill set allows her to play multiple positions and help propel her team in all areas on the field.
Midfielders
After taking two years off, Hannah Rhodes (senior, Lincoln, NE) rejoins Coach Dyson's squad and plans to turn a lot of heads this season. Between 2018 and 2019, the Lincoln Southwest alum finished with eight goals and 15 total points.
"We could not be more excited to have Hannah," Dyson said. "Not only is she talented, but she brings a passion to the game and gives great energy to all we do."
Joining Rhodes at midfield could be a combination of Hannah Ghannam (junior, Omaha, NE), Sarah Thavenet (senior, Lincoln, NE), Bryce Melis (sophomore, Bennington, NE), and Lauren Keith (junior, Bellevue, NE). All four ladies played in more than 10 games last season and Keith ended 2021 tied for second on the team in goals scored (2).
"Our depth in the midfield allows the consistency from last season to carry over into our upcoming season," Dyson said. "This gifted group sets the bar high in an extremely challenging conference."
Forwards
The Prairie Wolves' offense will lean heavily on senior classmates, Sabrina Ochterbeck (senior, Fenton, Mo) and Megan Cooper (senior, Grand Island, Ne). The pair combined for five goals last season.
"Our diversified front line will create a tough task for opponents to manage," Dyson said. "Sabrina and Megan are both polished strikers and bring different talents that will expose weaknesses in our opponent's back lines."
Aniaya Reed (sophomore, Kansas City, Mo) can also expect to see a significant increase in her role in 2022. The under-classman played in 14 games during her freshman campaign last season and registered two goals.
Freshman
Five true freshmen and one transfer strengthen the Prairie Wolf lineup.
"The incoming group has already shown out in preseason and scrimmages," Dyson said. "We are looking forward to seeing them step into significant roles on and off the field."
Looking Back on 2021
| NWU | Opponents | |
| Goals Per Game | 1.13 | 2.44 |
| Shots Per Game | 7.8 | 14.4 |
| Shots On Goal Percentage | 50.4% | 57.0% |
| Assists Per Game | .75 | 1.38 |
| Saves Per Game | 5.63 | 2.75 |
Sep. 1 Mount Marty 8:30 p.m.
Sep. 2 Concordia College (Minn.) 8 p.m.
Sep. 4 Westminster College (MO) 3 p.m.
Sep. 7 at Doane 6 p.m.
Sep. 10 Illinois College 12 p.m.
Sep. 11 at Rhodes College 12 p.m.
Sep. 16 Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville 7:30 p.m.
Sep. 17 at Grinnell College 3:30 p.m.
Sep. 24 * at Loras 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 * Coe 8 p.m.
Oct. 8 * Luther 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 * at Buena Vista 5 p.m.
Oct. 15 * Dubuque 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 * Simpson 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 * at Wartburg 12 p.m.
Oct. 25 * at Central 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 29- Nov 5 A-R-C Tournament TBA
A-R-C Preseason Poll
The American Rivers Conference released its 2022 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll on Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Nebraska Wesleyan was voted to finish seventh overall, with 19 points.
Original source can be found here.
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