By every definition, the 2017 season of Madison College women's soccer was record-setting, earning the program's first conference, region, and district titles en route to a debut appearance at the NJCAA Division III Women's Soccer National Championships. And while none of that came easy, an even bigger challenge for head coach Matt Schwartz and the WolfPack may lie ahead in 2018: defense of those championships.

"The 2018 season for this group of players is about reaching the national tournament again," bluntly stated coach Schwartz ahead of his third year at the helm of the five-year old program. "The players are ready to work for it and are hungry for success. We are the defending N4C, Region IV, and District D champs, and every player on this roster is set to defend our titles form the 2017 season."

The previous success and a key group of returning players have also heightened expectations outside of Madison, as the 'Pack will begin the fall ranked #7 in the NJCAA Division III Preseason Poll.

Five players are back from last fall, led by the record-setting tandem of striker Britt Schumann and midfielder Peyton Trapino. The duo from DeForest, Wisconsin, rewrote the record books on their way to all-conference and all-region accolades. Schumann scored 25 goals and registered 56 points to become the program's all-time leader in both categories, while Trapino's 20 assists leave her one shy of the all-time mark. Trapino, who played point guard the past two winter's for the Madison College women's basketball team, and fellow sophomore midfielder Esther Noriega each bring back another dozen goals scored, meaning the WolfPack will return 60% of its offense. Also back to help bolster the defense are Anna Cappaert and Autumn Petroski, who together logged more than 2,500 minutes of game time a season ago.

"We have a great group of returning players that have experienced a run to the 2017 NJCAA national tournament," boasts Schwartz. "I am very excited to have this group back and eager to see how they lead our freshman class this season."

To complete the 2018 roster, the 'Pack has welcomed in a talented group of 13 freshman to fill what gaps remain. Forward/midfielder Mary Raemisch, and midfielders Lillian Glackin and Meghan Petroski, younger sister of Autumn, have stood out during the early portions of fall camp and will look to contribute early on this season. 

"We have returned the two best attacking players Madison College has ever had and added some new pieces around them to give us a very dangerous attacking six. We will have a new, young defender group mixing with some veterans that should give us a good balance in the back. You never know how players will react when presented with a new challenge, all you can do is see how things look and adjust if you need to."

One of the biggest holes to fill will be that left by goalkeeper Brandie Gospodarek, who spent the past two seasons shattering every goalie record in program history and earning numerous postseason awards. However, The Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, native, is sticking around the program as a goalkeeper coach to help with the transition. With several moving parts, some of the incoming Class of 2018 have had to undergo position changes to best find a way to contribute, a process that coach Schwartz understands will take some time for fully develop.

"We have some growing and building do this year, but this team is very focused on accomplishing the goals set for them. It's hard to come from a year of great success...where you are one of eight teams left in the whole country, and pick up right where you left off. We are a young team and are going to get better with every game we play."

The 2018 schedule officially gets underway on Wednesday, August 29 at North Central Community College Conference rival Rock Valley College, who the WolfPack went 1-0-1 against last season after losing the six prior all-time meetings. The third game of the season marks the home opener when Harper College visits Madison on Friday, September 7. The 4:00 p.m. start will kick off a full night of N4C soccer as the Madison College women and men will host a soccer doubleheader that night at Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pitch-East. Two other key dates on the schedule are September 14 (away) and October 10 (home) when the 'Pack squares of against Joliet Junior College. The two programs shared the N4C title in 2017 and the Wolves are ranked #10 in the early polls. Madison College is 8-2 all-time against the Wolves, including a 1-0 win in last year's NJCAA Region IV Division III Championship.

New in 2018, all Madison College home matches will be streamed live at MadisonCollege.TV, as well as on the Madison College Athletics Facebook page.

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