Quakers women’s soccer poised for successful 2025 season with key returnees
After two straight Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament appearances, Wilmington College fourth-year women’s soccer Head Coach Nick Kinder believes in what he and his staff have been building to establish their program. Heading into 2025, the Quakers were placed fourth in the preseason poll with 41 points, only four points behind Otterbein University in third.
The Quakers finished with a 7-7-5 record overall in 2024, but six of the seven losses were by one goal.
"Last year, we did not do ourselves many favors. Six of our losses were by one goal, but it's a ton to build off of. We're right there. This year is about how do we get over that next hump and climb our way into that next tier of the conference," says Kinder.
Key Pieces Lost
The Quakers' main loss was midfielder Jada Pohlen. She finished second on the team with 18 points last year and was a consistent All-Academic honoree across three seasons.
With very few losses, Kinder emphasizes the importance of efficiency and the strength of experience for his 2025 team.
"I tell our teams all the time that you have a few moments on both sides of the ball every game, where you have to be great. If you're not great in those moments, then you leave the game up to chance," Kinder says. "With us having no seniors last year and returning as much experience as we have, I think that they are very prepared to reach that next level in conference."
Key Pieces Returning
With no seniors on last season's roster, the Quakers welcome back 21 total returnees and 11 upperclassmen. "I think we have a good mix. It is nice that we do have some pretty well-established leadership within our junior and senior classes. We do have some really exciting younger players coming in, like rising sophomores that have developed from last year," says Kinder.
Senior forward Alex Wilson started all 19 matches and led the team with eight goals for the third straight year in 2024 en route to her second First-Team All-OAC selection and third overall. Wilson was also selected to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA D3 All-Region VII women's third team.
"This is probably as focused and prepared as I've seen Alex going into this season. She's a three-year All-Conference player. She's led us in goals every year for the last three years," exclaims Kinder. "I think that you're going to be hard-pressed to find a better forward than her in our entire conference."
Another goal scoring threat in Jordan Snyder returns to the midfield. In 2024, Snyder started all 19 games while scoring seven goals and collecting three assists as she was named Second Team All-OAC.
Kinder had high praise for his prolific midfielder as well. "Jordan had her first fully healthy season last year, and she was an All-Conference player. She proved that she belongs on the field and that she can be one of the best midfielders and playmakers in this conference."
Senior defensive midfielder Madison VanSuch has been described by Coach Kinder as the "engine that runs both sides." VanSuch had the second-most minutes played last year with 1,635 for the Quakers.
Sophomore defender Lindsey Bauer was the anchor of the Quaker defense last season. In her first campaign, Bauer started all 19 games and logged the most minutes played with 1,643. She was named to the Third Team All-OAC. "Lindsey, in particular, started every game for us last year. We're going to look for her to have more of a leadership role this year because of her experience," says Kinder.
Fellow sophomore Gracie King is another midfielder Kinder expects to take a leap. "Gracie is another one in the midfield that I think is going to make a very big step forward for us this year. Played a ton last year, and I think that her production will really take off this year," adds Kinder. King started all 19 games last season, scoring two goals and collecting four assists.
The Quakers return their starting goalkeeper, Emma Storck. Across two seasons, Storck has appeared in 29 games while starting 23. She has recorded five shutouts in her career. "Emma has proven that she is reliable and consistent. She's another player, I think, that had the ability to be All-Conference last year," states Kinder. "She's someone that comes in every single year super focused, super prepared, and ready to go for this season."
First-Years to Watch
"The freshmen class has come in very well prepared," says Kinder. "We don't shy away from playing freshmen, so I think that there's going to be a lot of opportunity for freshmen to make an impact on the field for us." There are 11 incoming freshmen for the Quakers.
In the attack, Delaney Benjamin was someone who had caught Kinder's eyes. Benjamin, a native of Glendale, Ohio, was 1st Team All-Conference this past season in the Greater Miami Conference.
Olivia Roye, from Sterling Heights, Mich., will also be a factor across the field. "Olivia is a player that brings a different look to our attack with her ability to cover a lot of ground and impact the game on both sides of the ball," says Kinder. Roye was a two-time All-District honoree from Bishop Foley Catholic High School.
Kylie Allen will also be a factor for the Quakers. "Allen has been very good in the midfield for us," says Kinder.
The Quakers kick off their season at home versus Oberlin College on Friday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. in non-conference action. They host Senior Night against DePauw University on Saturday, Sept.r 27, at 7 p.m..
On Saturday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m., Wilmington hosts Heidelberg in their OAC Opener, a team that Kinder is 2-0-1 against in his time as the Quakers head coach. The Quakers travel to Capital University for a 2024 OAC Tournament rematch on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m., as they look for their first win over the Comets since 2013.
The Quakers' regular-season home finale is Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. against Ohio Northern University, which is another team Wilmington looks to defeat for the first time since 2013. Wilmington's final OAC regular-season game is away at Marietta College on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. Kinder holds a 2-0-1 record against the Pioneers.