Missouri Valley Release

ST. LOUIS – After an historic season that included a conference championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament, Missouri State earned the runner-up spot in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll along with garnering an all-conference selection, junior Brittney Robinson, announced by the league Monday.

Loyola was picked as the preseason favorite with 60 points and five first-place votes from head coaches around the league. Missouri State was one of three institutions to earn first-place votes in the poll with two and 50 points. Northern Iowa rounded out the top three with a single first-place vote and 46 points followed by Drake, Illinois State, Valparaiso, Evansville, and Indiana State.

The Bears went 10-9-2 last season including a 1-0 victory against Northern Iowa in the MVC Championship to claim its second conference championship in program history along with a berth in the NCAA tournament.

An MVC second-team selection last season, Robinson is the lone Bear to represent Missouri State on the 2018 preseason all-conference team. The Ballwin, Mo. native was a constant defensive force for the Bears last season playing in 19 games and starting in all 16 regular season games. Robinson picked up one assist on the season, helping the Bears to a goal against Evansville on Oct. 21. She was responsible for multiple takeaways on the back line and has registered 11 shots this season.

Three of Missouri State's four leading scorers, Brooke Prondzinski, Jordan Eickelman, and Kayleigh Putnam, are also set to return with eight total starters and 17 letterwinners, while a talented group of incoming freshmen look to make an impact.

The Bears open their 2018 season on Thursday, August 16 with a 6 p.m. matchup against Western Illinois at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium. For all the latest information on the Missouri State women's soccer team visit MissouriStateBears.com or follow @MSUBearsWSoccer on Twitter.