Madison College women’s soccer coach Logan Fye has several top players from last year’s 12-3-1 team returning including the team’s leading scorer and a goalie who had five shutouts.
With a talented group of freshmen joining the squad, he believes the team will be able to compete for the regional title.
“The goal for this season is to get better as we go and be playing at our best at the end of the season,” Fye said. “We have the talent to win the region, but staying healthy and building our fitness and cohesion will be key to us making a run.”
Seven players return from a squad that suffered a tough, 1-0, loss to Rock Valley College in the regional semifinal last year.
Midfielder Suzy Hinds Cruz returns after leading the team with 14 goals and five assists last season. Goalie Kaelyn Welch is also back after allowing just seven goals all season last year and posting 41 saves and five shutouts.
“The strength will be our experience in key areas like goalkeeper, center back and winger. These players know what college soccer is like in Region 4 and can help guide the talented newcomers through a challenging season,” Fye said.
“But going into every match, I believe that we will have the better goalkeeper, and we have a top forward who can score at any time. That combination typically will lead to wins.”
Also returning are forward Ava Schmidt, who had three goals and an assist last year, midfielder Finley LaFlash and defenders Maddie Cadd, Mirella Zielke and Lexi Hubner.

Having only seven returning players means the WolfPack will have to depend on members of its freshman class to fill vital roles. Fye believes they are up to the task.
“We have some areas that we needed to fill or upgrade and luckily we’ve been able to land a number of very talented players to come in and help us reload,” Fye said.
“I expect that you’ll likely see a freshman or two leading our team in goals and potentially one leading in assists. We also have some others that will be big additions to the backline as well.”
So far, Fye has been impressed by what he has seen from his squad during practices and pre-season scrimmages.
“This group has shown that they are a confident group that should have what it takes to achieve their goals this season,” Fye said. “They trust each other, hold each other accountable, play with discipline and do things the right way.”
Madison College opened the season on the road on against 19th-ranked Hawkeye Community College on Aug. 23, and finished in a 1-1 tie. Both teams scored in the first half, with Hinds Cruz scoring for the WolfPack. Next up is Rochester Community and Technical College at home on Aug. 30 at 3 p.m.
An early match to watch is on Sept. 17 when the WolfPack travels to Rock Valley College to take on the two-time defending regional champs.
“I am excited to see how this group comes together and performs, especially with an intentionally more challenging schedule on the docket,” Fye said. “It will prepare us for the postseason, and we hope to be playing in the region final on our home field in November.”