Dina Polanco Leads University of Mary Soccer Awards Sweep
University of Mary sophomore forward Dina Polanco racked up 17 goals and 35 points during the regular season, anchoring a dominant conference awards haul for her program as northernsun.org reported. Polanco claimed the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Year honor after leading the league in goals, points, and game-winning goals with seven. She also set a school NCAA record with 20 goals and 42 total points, while sitting fifth nationally in goals per game at 1.05.
Head coach Sarah Cook steered the Marauders to their first NSIC Regular Season Women’s Soccer Championship in her 15th season at the helm. Cook orchestrated a 12-1-2 conference record, closing out the regular-season slate on a 13-match unbeaten streak. UMary also secured a home playoff berth for the first time since 2008, qualifying for the conference tournament for the ninth season with a lineup featuring seven underclassmen and seven new starters.
Defensive Excellence and Midfield Stars Highlight All-Conference Selections
Northern State University senior defender Lauren Youngquist captured the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year award after anchoring a defensive unit that recorded four shutouts in league play. Youngquist started all 15 conference contests for the Wolves, logging 1,289 minutes while adding two goals and two assists. Newcomer of the Year Ivy Wessel strengthened the UMary backline alongside Youngquist's conference recognition, helping limit NSIC opponents to just 0.67 goals per game.
Minnesota State University, Mankato junior goalkeeper Lauren McAlpine repeated as the NSIC Goalkeeper of the Year. McAlpine posted a 12-1-2 record with 12 shutouts in conference action, allowing only seven goals while stopping 53 shots. University of Minnesota Duluth sophomore midfielder Nora Helvig rounded out the major positional awards as Midfielder of the Year, pacing conference play with 4.60 shots per game and finishing the campaign with seven goals and four assists across 19 starts.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 NSIC Soccer Season
How many teams compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference?
The NSIC operates as a 16-team NCAA Division II athletic conference with member institutions located across Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
What historical milestone did the University of Mary achieve this season?
The Marauders captured their first-ever NSIC Regular Season Women’s Soccer Championship under head coach Sarah Cook, finishing with a 12-1-2 conference record.
How many career shutouts does goalkeeper Lauren McAlpine hold?
Minnesota State University, Mankato junior goalkeeper Lauren McAlpine holds 33 career shutouts across three seasons with a 0.38 goals-against average.