BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mississippi College was tabbed as the favorite in the 2023 Gulf South Conference women’s soccer preseason poll, as voted by the league’s head coaches.
The Choctaws are the reigning the GSC tournament champions after going 11-2-1 in league play and posting an overall 16-4-2 record. This is their second time being named the league’s preseason favorite since 2021.
Mississippi College topped the poll with 159 total points and four first-place votes, narrowly edging out West Florida who collected with 153 points and seven first-place votes.
Lee was picked third with 144 points and received one first-place tally. Montevallo checked in at No. 4 with 125 points, while West Georgia rounded out the top five with 112 points and two first-place votes.
To vote for preseason polls, coaches rank teams in order of projected finish, with the first-place receiving 13 points and the last-place team receiving one-point. Coaches are not allowed to rank their own team.
In addition to the preseason rankings, the coaches also named their 2023 Women’s Soccer Preseason All-GSC team. This year’s selections included seven first team picks from last season. The conference office also unveiled this year’s Newcomer Watch List, click here to see the full list.
The GSC women’s soccer season returns Thursday, August 31 with 20+ GSC-related matches slated for the opening weekend. The 2023 installment of the GSC Women’s Championship will begin with quarterfinal action on Sunday, November 5 at campus sites with advancing teams going to Huntsville, Ala., for the semifinal and championship round set for November 9-12.
2023 GSC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
First-place votes in parentheses ( )
1. Mississippi College - 159 pts (4)
2. West Florida - 153 (7)
3. Lee - 144 (1)
4. Montevallo - 125
5. West Georgia - 112 (2)
6. West Alabama - 106
7. Delta State - 93
8. Valdosta State - 86
9. Christian Brothers - 82
10. Alabama Huntsville - 77
11. Auburn Montgomery - 52
12. Union - 44
13. Spring Hill - 28
14. Shorter - 13
2023 GSC Women’s Soccer Preseason All-GSC
GK - Maciah Lipsey, West Florida, Gr.*
D - Kate Dirkse, Lee, Gr.*
D - MaryElla White, Mississipp College, Sr. #
D - Ahnalie Layman, West Florida, Jr.
M - Avery Hederman, Mississippi College, Sr.*
M - Emma Young, Mississippi College, Sr.*
M - Manami Okada, West Florida, R-Sr.*
M - Destiny Hird, West Florida, Sr.
F - Ellie Crisler, Lee, Gr.*
F - Erin Hederman, Mississippi College, Sr.*
F - Angelina Rivas, Montevallo, So.#
AL - Catherine Reeves, West Georgia, So.#
* First Team All-GSC in 2022
# Second Team All-GSC in 2022
names submitted and voted by coaches