Three Gopher soccer players, Caroline Birdsell, Taylor Heimerl, and Sarah Martin, have been named to the 2026 Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch List. Birdsell was a key offensive player, finishing second on her team with 10 points and leading in shots. Heimerl logged significant minutes on defense and contributed to the team's success while Martin excelled as the goalkeeper, earning multiple accolades for her performance in 2025, including a standout game against No. 9 UCLA.

By the Numbers
  • Caroline Birdsell recorded 10 total points and led the team with 48 shots.
  • Sarah Martin made 92 saves, ranking 2nd in the Big Ten.
Yes, But

Despite strong individual performances, the Gophers are currently ranked 14th in the preseason poll among 18 teams, indicating a need for improvement as a unit.

State of Play
  • The Gophers will kick off their season on August 13 against North Dakota.
  • The preseason poll has Minnesota placed 14th, behind several competitive teams in the conference.
What's Next

As the season approaches, Minnesota will need to leverage the strengths of Birdsell, Heimerl, and Martin to improve their standings and goal-scoring capabilities against tough opponents.

Bottom Line

The selection of key players to the preseason watch list highlights individual talent, but the Gophers must translate that into collective success to rise in the Big Ten rankings.