USAO WOMEN'S SOCCER: Year in Review 2025-26
The women's soccer team once again produced an impressive season, against one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Drovers finished with a 13-4-5 overall record, including a 6-0-3 record in conference play. USAO produced a 4-4-4 record against opponents that are ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, including wins against No. 6 College of Idaho, RV Oklahoma City x2, and RV Columbia. Losses against No. 10 John Brown, No. 21 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) x2, and RV Hastings (Neb.). The Drovers earned ties against No. 7 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.), No. 10 John Brown (Ark.), RV Mid-America Christian, and RV Concordia (Neb.).
The team was also very successful in the classroom, producing a team GPA of 3.43.
When asked about his outlook of the 2025 season, Head Coach Niall Crick said, "For women's soccer, 2025 was a season of historic highs and sharp disappointments. Amongst the highs: our second consecutive SAC Player of the Year winner in Dagga; an undefeated SAC regular season; our highest ever ranked win in program history (win over No. 3 College of Idaho); and the opportunity to host a national tournament game at McLaughlin Field for the first time in Drover Soccer history (men or women)."
Crick continued, "Despite that, the team was left with a feeling that our potential wasn't reached, that we could have, and should have gone further. That has created a hunger and drive amongst our returning group that I haven't seen before. That has me convinced that 2026 will be special!"
- Niall Crick – SAC Coach of the Year
Niall Crick earned his second consecutive SAC Coach of the Year honor after leading the Drovers to a 13-4-5 record and their ninth national tournament appearance. The Coach of the Year award is the seventh in program history, with legendary coach Jimmy Hampton having won five (2011, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022).
Crick in his third season as the program's head coach, after spending 11 years as an assistant coach at USAO. As the head coach, he has led the Drovers to an incredible 45-13-6 win-loss record, as well as the 2024 regular season SAC championship and a pair of national tournament appearance.
- Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir – SAC Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, 1st Team All-SAC
Dagbjort Gudmundsdottir became the sixth player in program history to be tabbed as the best player in the conference after a terrific 2025 season that featured 12 goals and an assist for a total of 25 points.
Furthermore, it was the eighth season in a row (ninth total) that a Drover claimed the award for the conference's top offensive player.
Gudmundsdottir was also selected as the SAC Offensive Player of the Week, and the all-conference selection was the third of her career.
- Agnes Aas – SAC Freshman of the Year, 2nd Team All-SAC
The freshman made a splash in her first season at USAO, anchoring a defense that surrendered only 15 goals and produced 12 shutouts. The Norwegian defender has started all 21 games for USAO so far this season and has also distributed three assists. In addition to the new hardware, Aas was selected as the SAC Defensive Player of the Week in late October.
Aas is the fifth player in program history to be selected as the league's top Freshman.
1ST TEAM ALL-SAC - Paula Casajus, Ilse de Jong
2nd TEAM ALL-SAC - Ashlee Davison, Aleigha Donaldson, Ashlyn Lonberg
The women's soccer team was also stellar in the classroom, producing a 3.43 team GPA, earning SAC Scholar Team honors.
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