BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Lee was picked to repeat as Gulf South Conference women’s soccer champion, according the conference’s preseason poll as voted by the league’s head coaches.

PRESEASON ALL-GSC TEAM | NEWCOMER WATCH LIST | 2022 SCHEDULE

The Lady Flames, who were 19-0-1 overall and 13-0 in conference play, topped the poll with 164 total points and eight first-place votes. West Florida was second with 153 points and six first-place votes.

Mississippi College was third with 145 points, while Valdosta State (131) and Delta State (118) came in at fourth and fifth, respectively. West Georgia was sixth with 105 points, followed by West Alabama (90) and  Montevallo (88). Christian Brothers was picked ninth with 83 points, trailed by Alabama Huntsville (65), Auburn Montgomery (56), Union (34), Spring Hill (27) and Shorter (15) rounded out the poll.

The GSC head coaches also selected a Preseason All-GSC team, which featured four First Team selections from 2021. It was also highlighted by last season’s Defensive Player of the Year Emma Young from Mississippi College, and Valdosta State’s Molly Wooldridge who was the Freshman of the Year. 

The 2022 GSC women’s soccer season will begin on Thursday, Aug. 25, with conference play scheduled for Friday, Sept. 9. The conference tournament will begin Sunday, Oct. 30 with quarterfinal action on campus. The Hunstville Sports Commission and the newly renovated John Hunt Park will then be the site for the final two rounds, with semifinals slated for Friday, Nov. 4 and the title game set for Sunday, Nov. 6.

GSC Preseason Coaches Poll
First-place votes in ( )
1. Lee (8) – 164
2. West Florida (6) – 153
3. Mississippi College – 145
4. Valdosta State – 131
5. Delta State – 118
6. West Georgia – 105
7. West Alabama – 90
8. Montevallo – 88
9. Christian Brothers – 83
10. Alabama Huntsville – 65
11. Auburn Montgomery – 56
12. Union – 34
13. Spring Hill – 27
14. Shorter – 15

GSC Preseason All-GSC Team
GK – Charline Favier, West Florida
D – Katie Dirkse, Lee
D – Emma Young, Mississippi College
D – Taylor Morris, Valdosta State
M – Avery Hederman, Mississippi College
M – Bailey Hern, Valdosta State
M – Destiny Hird, West Florida
M – Mallory Hayden, Lee
F – Blair Cowan, West Florida
F – Beatrice Currie, Mississippi College
F – Molly Wooldridge, Valdosta State
AL – Dana Cruz, West Alabama
AL – Rainey Niles, Delta State