TIFFIN, Ohio – The Tiffin University women's soccer team is set to embark on a new chapter in 2026, with Director of Soccer Operations Rudy Brownell returning to the helm of the women's program for the first time since 2009.
Brownell was appointed Director of Soccer Operations in the spring and will look to turn around a women's team that finished 2025 3-12-3 overall with a 2-10-2 mark in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. Joining Brownell's coaching staff this season will be assistant coaches Eric Haecker and Karlie Heilman along with graduate assistants Julie Derenemesnil and Kii Marks.
Tiffin, in a vote by the G-MAC's head coaches, was recognized to finish tenth in the Great Midwest Women's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. Defending conference champion Ashland was selected as the preseason favorite, garnering 119 points and ten first-place votes.
2026 Great Midwest Women's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
Ashland (10) |
119 |
| 2. |
Cedarville (2) |
110 |
| 3. |
Findlay |
109 |
| 4. |
Northwood |
94 |
| 5. |
Lake Erie |
78 |
| 6. |
Thomas More |
62 |
| 7. |
Walsh |
61 |
| t8. |
Ohio Dominican |
44 |
| t8. |
Malone |
44 |
| 10. |
Tiffin |
40 |
| 11. |
Ursuline |
19 |
| 12. |
Kentucky Wesleyan |
12 |
First-place votes are listed in parentheses.
"The group of girls that we have right now brings a great mentality and attitude," said Brownell. "We have a great staff and everyone plays a key role, so we are going to make sure we get the women's program back on the map."
Looking to guide the Dragons this season will be four members of the leadership group, juniors Maddie Davis and Callie Cacchione along with seniors Taylor Iden and Sam McPhee. Iden and Davis appeared in all 18 games for the Dragons last season.
"Making that outside of soccer connection to the field connection is very important for us as a group," said Davis. "The effort and energy are there, everyone is super committed, and everybody loves to show up ready to work. The leadership that he (Brownell) has for us is awesome, and we're all willing to get out there on the field every day and work for him."
TU will also look to get a big boost from sophomore defender Elizabeth Birri, who transferred in after playing her freshman season at NCAA Division III Mount St. Joseph University. Birri was named Second Team All-HCAC, played in 17 of the Lions' 20 games, and scored three goals. Tiffin will also look to turn up the heat offensively after scoring just eight goals as a team in 2025. The top offensive returner is senior Tia Nagle who scored one goal and recorded a team-high two assists last season. Other key returners that scored one goal last season include Amanda Feury, Mackenzie Borden, Dani Garner, Iden, and McPhee.
The Dragons are slated to start the season at home this Thursday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. against the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown at the Paradiso Athletic Complex.
