Michigan Tech coach Melissa Kuhar addresses the soccer team prior a game last season. The Huskies are picked to finish sixth in the GLIAC Coaches’ Poll. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech Huskies soccer team has been tabbed to finish in a tie for sixth-place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coaches’ poll, the league office announced Friday.

Grand Valley State earned six first place votes to sit atop the GLIAC with 62 total points. Saginaw Valley State (51 points), Ferris State (48 points) and Davenport (41 points) each earned one first place vote for second, third and fifth, respectively. Northern Michigan gained 46 points at the four spot.

The Huskies and Purdue Northwest Pride each gained 24 points in a tie for the sixth position as Parkside (19 points) and Roosevelt (nine points) rank eighth and ninth, respectively. 

Michigan Tech coach Melissa Kuhar returns for her second year at the helm of the Black and Gold, after finishing 6-11-1 overall and 4-9-1 in conference play.

“I think year one showed me what I need to do as a head coach,” said Kuhar. “It showed me what a head coach needs to have and what support I need around me, and then just kind of what I’m trying to build this year. I keep calling it 2.0, year one 2.0.”

Goalkeeper Bri Barrows returns following 17 starts for the Huskies, while Brooke Green, Reilly Lovercheck and Ryley Winrich are the top returning goal scorers with one goal apiece. Michigan Tech returns 18 student-athletes from last season as Coach Kuhar brings in a class of 12 freshmen to the 2025 campaign. 

The Black and Gold open the season at home for Parents Weekend, facing NSIC foes Minnesota-Duluth on Friday (Sept. 5) and St. Cloud State Sunday (Sept. 7).

“Including some of our scrimmages, I think (we have) a solid non-conference schedule,” Kuhar said. “Still playing St. Cloud, Duluth in that opening weekend, which will show us exactly how good we are, and what we need to work on.

“Then, finishing that second weekend of non-conference with Cedarville and Northwood, (who) are very good teams and in our region. Right there with those four, it’s going to really show us what we need to be and what level we need to get to if we’re not already there.”

The Huskies will open their GLIAC schedule with a tough road trip to face Wisconsin-Parkside (Sept. 19) and Roosevelt (Sept. 21).

“Opening conference with a tough Parkside squad that’s always challenging year after year,” she said. “Then kind of hitting Roosevelt on that trip, too.”

2025 GLIAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll

1. Grand Valley State 62 (6)

2. Saginaw Valle State 51 (1)

3. Ferris State 48 (1)

4. Northern Michigan 46

5. Davenport 41 (1)

6T. Michigan Tech 24

6T. Purdue Northwest 24

7. Parkside 19

8. Roosevelt 9