U-Mary Marauders

2007 record: 16-7-0 overall, 6-3-0 NSIC, fourth place; defeated MSU-Moorhead 1-0 in overtime in NSIC championship game; lost 2-1 to Central Missouri in first round of NCAA Central Regional.

Coach: Levi Evans, fifth year, 48-31-6.

NSIC coaches' poll: Third, 141 points.

Top returnees: Brannigan Coyle, sr., GK (8-5-0, 0.84 GAA, .843 save pct., 8 shutouts). Jessica Janusz, F (7-317), second-team All-NSIC. Alyssa Deutscher, jr., F (3-28), Bismarck. Carly Feiler, jr., GK (7-2-0, 0.53 GAA, .892 save pct., 5 shutouts), Pierre, S.D. Markelle Gallagher, so., D. Megan Hellrung, so., D. Vanessa Protz, so., D. Megan Wilson, so., F (15-333). Cassie Meendering, so., MF.

Augustana Vikings

2007 record: 8-8-3 overall, 4-6-2 in North Central Conference, fourth place.

Coach: Brandon Barkus, third year.

Coaches' poll: Sixth, 109 points.

Key returnees: Jill Goodrich, so., D (1-1-3), first-team All-NCC. Kate Shandri, so., F (9-3-21), second-team All-NCC.

Notes: Shandri was the NCC's freshman of the year last season.

Bemidji State Beavers

2007 record: 9-9-3 overall, 5-3-1 NSIC, fifth place; lost to U-Mary 1-0 in NSIC quarterfinals.

Coach: Jim Stone, seventh year, 51-56-13.

Coaches' poll: Ninth, 85 points.

Key returnees: Ashley Ellefsen, so., MF (7-2-16), second-team All-NSIC. Alysha Domiano, so., D (2-0-4), honorable mention All-NSIC. Kelly Hyvare, sr., F, (1-4-6). Jamie Ford, jr., F (5-3-13). Danielle Uphoff, jr., F (3-5-11). Kara Smyth, so., MF (2-6-10). Samantha Ross, so., GK (4-3-2, 1.20 GAA, .782 save pct.).

Notes: The Beavers have two freshmen, Abby Kjonaas and Kari McAllen, from Fargo North.

Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears

2007 record: 5-14-2 overall, 3-6-0 NSIC, seventh place; lost to Northern State 2-0 in NSIC quarterfinals.

Coach: Joe Alianiello, third year, 16-25-3.

Coaches' poll: Eleventh, 53 points.

Key returnees: Sam Voeller, sr., MF (0-2-2). Kari Janes, so., MF-F (3-2-8). Keyton Wheelock, sr., GK (4-10-2, 1.25 GAA, .823 save pct., 6 shutouts).

Notes: The returning players on the C-SP roster accounted for just five goals last season.

Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles

2007 record: 5-15-0 overall, 2-7-0 NSIC, ninth place; did not qualify for NSIC tournament.

Coach: Chris Przemieniecki, eighth year, 25-93-3.

Coaches' poll: Thirteenth, 29 points.

Key returnees: Megan Gibeault, so., MF-F (8-2-18). Kelsey Palmer, so., F-MF (7-4-18). Vanessa Copiak, sr., F (4-7-15). Amber Erdmann, sr., MF-F (4-2-10).

Notes: Sophomore F Melanie Kuntz, a Bismarck High grad, played eight games for the Golden Eagles last season, scoring one goal.

Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs

2007 record: 7-9-1 overall, 5-6-1 in the NCC, third place.

Coach: Greg Cane, 15th year, 148-79-22.

Coaches' poll: Fourth, 122 points.

Key returnees: Stacey Prodaniuk, sr., D. Kelly Duchene, jr., F (2-1-5), second-team All-NCC. Clare Dahmen, jr., M-F (2-3-7).

Notes: Junior F Rita Lerud is a Fargo North graduate.

MSU-Mankato Mavericks

2007 record: 17-3-1 overall, 12-0-0 in NCC, first place; lost to Nebraska-Omaha 2-0 in NCAA Central Regional final.

Coach: Peter McGahey, first year.

Coaches' poll: First, 164 points.

Key returnees: Carly Petersen, sr., F (7-6-20), first-team All-NCC. Marti Klinsing, sr., MF (6-5-17), second-team All-NCC. Kelly Sadler, sr., D (0-2-2), second-team All-NCC. Laura Leber, so., F (11-4-26), second-team All-NCC. Emily Petrovich, so., D (0-1-1), first-team All-NCC. Gina Paletta, jr., MF (3-2-8), first-team All-NCC.

Notes: MSU-Mankato is ranked eighth in the country in the preseason rankings. … The Mavericks return 10 of 11 starters from last season, and six of them were all-conference. … Leber led the NCC with 11 goals, seven game-winning goals and 26 points as a freshman. … The Mavericks won five NCC titles in their 12 years in the NCC.

MSU-Moorhead Dragons

2007 record: 9-12-2 overall, 3-5-1 NSIC, sixth place; lost to U-Mary 1-0 in NSIC championship game.

Coach: Rollie Bulock, 10th year, 64-96-9.

Coaches' poll: Tenth, 64 points.

Key returnees: Alison Wanner, so., GK (3-7-2, 1.53 GAA, .864 save pct., 2 shutouts). Sarah Lipetzky, so., D (0-1-1). Richelle Ross, sr., MF (3-4-10), honorable mention All-NSIC. Jena Reed, so., F (7-0-14), honorable mention All-NSIC. Tricia Vanyo, so., MF (5-5-15). Katie Hiemstra, sr., F (4-2-10).

Notes: The Dragons have a strong local flavor. … As a freshman. Mandan's Wanner took over the starting keeper role during the second half of the season. … Lipetzky, a Century grad, started 17 games last season as a freshman. … Another former Patriot, Shiree Lindholm, is a freshman for the Dragons. … Fargo Shanley grad Katie Kloster tranferred from Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Northern State Wolves

2007 record: 15-4-3 overall, 7-1-1 NSIC, second place; lost to MSU-Moorhead 1-0 (6-5 in penalty kicks) in NSIC semifinals.

Coach: Steve Kehm, 11th year, 123-64-15.

Coaches' poll: Fifth, 121 points.

Key returnees: Maggie Fedor, so., F (15-4-34), first-team All-NSIC. Laura Skog, jr., D. Summer Swan, jr., MF (3-3-9), second-team All-NSIC. Katherine Bronson, jr., D (6-3-15). Stephanie Connolly, sr., MF (5-1-11). Kirsten Saunders, so., MF (2-7-11). KaSara Sutton, so., MF (5-0-10). Kendra Titze, so., D (3-4-10).

Notes: Fedor was the NSIC newcomer of the year.

St. Cloud State Huskies

2007 record: 5-12-2 overall, 3-8-1 NCC, sixth place.

Coach: Becky Heiberger, first year.

Coaches' poll: Tied for seventh, 90 points.

Key returnees: Lindsey Sather, so., F (4-3-11). Chelsey Scheller, jr., F (2-3-7). Jessie Cody, sr., MF (3-1-7). Elizabeth Kelly, jr., GK (4-10-2, 1.52 GAA, .809 save pct., 2 shutouts).

Notes: Kyrsten Wallace, who helped lead Bismarck High to a state championship in 2005 and Century to a West Region title in 2008, is a freshman at St. Cloud State.

Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs

2007 record: 3-13-4 overall, 2-5-2 NSIC, eighth place; lost to U-Mary 1-0 in NSIC semifinals.

Coach: Amy Olson, first year.

Coaches' poll: Twelfth, 34 points.

Key returnees: Tatum Borstad, so., D (3-2-8). Heather Holmes, jr., F.

Upper Iowa Peacocks

2007 record: 12-8-1 overall, 6-2-1 NSIC, third place; lost to MSU-Moorhead 1-0 in NSIC quarterfinals.

Coach: Brian Bahl, second year, 12-8-1.

Coaches' poll: Tied for seventh, 90 points.

Key returnees: Amy Campbell, jr., MF (11-3-25), first-team All-NSIC. Melissa Hietzman, jr., GK (6-3-1, 1.58 GAA, .797 save pct., 4 shutouts), first-team All-NSIC. Jenny Lee, sr., MF (3-9-15), second-team All-NSIC. Cara Mauldin, jr., F-D (4-5-13).

Wayne State Wildcats

2007 record: 1-15-3 overall, 0-9-0 NSIC, 10th place; did not qualify for NSIC tournament.

Coach: Brooke Bredenberg, third year, 10-25-5.

Coaches' poll: Fourteenth, 17 points.

Key returnees: Christina King, jr., D, honorable mention All-NSIC. Emily Walker, jr., GK (0-9-3, 2.18 GAA, .741 savc pct., 3 shutouts). Tiffani Kellerman, so., F.

Winona State Warriors

2007 record: 16-3-2 overall, 8-1-0 NSIC, first place; lost to SW Minnesota 1-0 (4-3 in penalty kicks) in NSIC quarterfinals.

Coach: Ali Omar, 14th year, 174-63-15.

Coaches' poll: Second, 155 points.

Key returnees: Heidi Woerle, sr., D, first-team All-NSIC (1-2-4). Leslie Schumacher, sr., MF (6-2-14), second-team All-NSIC. Amelia Kasten, sr., F (8-3-19), second-team All-NSIC. Amanda Diehm, sr., GK (16-2-2, 0.21 GAA, .944 save pct., 11 shutouts), second-team All-NSIC. Gina Floria, sr., F (6-4-16).

Notes: The Warriors have won the last four regular-season conference titles.

- Compiled by Lou Babiarz