On the women’s side, head coach Jordan Sibenaller brought in 19 freshmen to join returning sophomores Eden Palkovic and Perla Rios. Last year, the Tritons finished 15-4 and were led by Landry McCoid, who was voted the ICCAC Div. II player of the year and co-female athlete of the year.

Iowa Central found its way into the national rankings, finishing 7-1 in the conference while also going a perfect 8-0 at home. They have been tabbed 10th in the preseason poll, with conference rivals Northeast and Hawkeye also in the Top-20.

Palkovic, a forward, scored 19 goals and had a team-high 26 assists in 2023. Rios, a defender, played in 16 matches and tallied an assist.

“With 19 freshmen, we have been very busy getting our team ready for our first game,” Sibenaller said. “We are very excited to see what this group can do.”

Photos courtesy of Iowa Central: The Iowa Central women's soccer team for the 2024 season.

McKenna Hilton and Sydney Hagen are two of the newcomers looking to make an immediate impact. Hilton had six goals and four assists for Ankeny Centennial in the spring, helping the Jaguars reach the Class 3A state quarterfinals.

“Our recruiting has changed a lot,” Sibenaller said. “The majority of our players are from Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska.”

The Tritons were tabbed second in the preseason coaches poll behind four-time defending champion Northeast in Div. II. Iowa Lakes, Hawkeye and NIACC round out the Top-5 in the 10-school league.

Leading the men once again will be head coach Pablo Rodriguez, who enters his eighth season in charge. Iowa Central has won 28 matches since 2019, going 3-4-5 last year — including a 3-2-3 record in conference play.

Genaro Dumestre, Facundo Brunig Leites, Edgard Salazar Buenano, Kaisei Hara and Raymond Fruend are key sophomores back. Dumestre scored a goal and had an assist in 12 matches of action last fall, while Buenano tallied four goals in eight appearances.

“Preseason has gone really well, with practices seven days a week since Aug. 1,” Rodriguez said. “The athletes have worked really hard and we showed that we are ready for the season in our scrimmage versus Grand View.”

Newcomers Leandro Romero, Walter Palacios, Leonardo Pierangelo Stralla and Erick Rodriguez look to fill voids for the Tritons, who were picked seventh in the league’s preseason poll. Iowa Lakes, Northeast, Hawkeye and Western Iowa Tech claimed the top spots.

Iowa Central will be playing all of its home matches on the brand-new turf field that was built on campus. Previously, the Tritons had played at Rogers Sports Complex.

“Our players are looking forward to a better game-day experience,” Sibenaller said. “They are excited to be practicing on the turf and playing on it.”

Rodriguez echoed those sentiments, saying, “Having turf on campus is great and we are very lucky to have such a great facility.”

Sibenaller will be assisted by Matthan Kots. Brett Harris and Carl Legore assist Rodriguez.

2024 IOWA CENTRAL SOCCER

Men’s Schedule

Aug. 22 — at NIACC; 24 — Carl Sandburg; 28 — at Marshalltown; 31 — at State Fair.

Sept. 4 — at Riverland; 7 — Iowa Lakes; 11 — at Minnesota West; 14 — at Neosho; 21 — Southeastern; 25 — at Western Iowa Tech.

Oct. 2 — Northeast; 5 — at Hawkeye; 12 — at Iowa Lakes; 16 — at Northwest Iowa; 19 — NIACC; 23 — Marshalltown.

Women’s Schedule

Aug. 23 — South Suburban; 29 — at Kellogg; 31 — at Heartland.

Sept. 4 — at Johnson County; 9 — Iowa Western; 13 — East Central; 18 — Indian Hills; 21 — Southeastern; 25 — at Western Iowa Tech; 28 — at Scott.

Oct. 2 — Northeast; 5 — at Hawkeye; 12 — at Iowa Lakes; 16 — at Northwest Iowa; 19 — NIACC; 23 — Marshalltown.