BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After sweeping the Gulf South Conference regular season and tournament titles for the third consecutive season, Flagler topped the 2026 preseason poll, as determined by the league’s six head coaches.
Coaches also selected the Preseason All-GSC Team and chose three student-athletes from their respective squads to comprise the Newcomers to Watch List.
2026 SCHEDULE
The Saints received all five possible first-place votes and collected 25 points. Tied for second with 19 points each was UAH and Lander. Lee and Montevallo were tied for fourth with 11 points, while newcomer Virginia State was sixth with five points.
For the first time in league history, three GSC teams are among the top 25 in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Preseason Poll, with Flagler at No. 12, Lander at No. 20, and No. 25 UAH.
In 2025, the GSC was represented in the NCAA Division II Women’s Lacrosse Championship for the third straight season. That year, Gulf South teams combined for 33 non-conference wins, with 32 against Division II opponents.
The Preseason All-GSC Team is comprised of 15 players including 10 first-teamers from last season. Highlighting the squad are Flagler’s Jenn Seebach (defense), Carley Tepel (attack) and Ella Pinder (midfield). The trio earned all-American accolades in 2025 with Tepel and Pinder tabbed honorable mentions by USA Lacrosse Magazine, while Seebach was a first-team pick by USA Lacrosse Magazine and a IWLCA Second Team selection.
The GSC Newcomers to Watch List features 12 players who are first-year freshman or transfers on their current team. Name were provide by their respective head coach.
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The 2026 GSC women’s lacrosse season begins Saturday, Jan. 31 with UAH, Flagler and Montevallo all in action. Lee will open its season on Wednesday, Feb. 4, while Lander starts Wednesday, Feb. 11. Virginia State begins its slate on Thursday, Feb. 19.
Conference play begins March 16. The 2026 GSC Women's Lacrosse Championship will be played April 24 and 26 at the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex in Huntsville, Ala., and co-hosted by the Huntsville Sports Commission.
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Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Flagler (5) - 25
2t. UAH (1) - 19
2t. Lander - 19
4t. Lee - 11
4t. Montevallo - 11
6. Virginia State - 5
First-place votes in parentheses
Preseason All-GSC Team*
GK: Savannah Weisman, So., Lee
D: Jenn Seebach, Gr., Flagler
D: Kaia Morey, Sr., Lander
D: Sydney Schiavone, Sr., UAH
D: Molly Sloan, Sr., Flagler
M: Ella Pinder, Sr., Flagler
M: Sarah Cole, Sr., UAH
M: Noelle Harrington, Sr., Lee
M: Ella Benson, Sr., Lander
A: Carley Tepel, Sr., Flagler
A: Jessica Wright, Sr., Flagler
A: Ella Rutherford, So., UAH
A: Ellery Shearer, Jr., Montevallo
A: Kylie Fragala, Jr., Lander
SP: Greta McGinnis, Sr., Flagler
* Roster expanded due to tie in voting
Newcomers to Watch List
Kate Simonic, UAH [M, Fr., Lakeland, Tenn./Briarcrest HS]
Olivia Rewers, UAH [M, Fr., Brentwood, Tenn./Ravenwood HS]
Brooke Denny, UAH [G, Fr., Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek HS]
Kylie Budke, Flagler [A, R-Jr., Mount Sinai, N.Y./Stony Brook]
Kayla Wehberg, Flagler [D, Jr., Owings Mills, Md./Monmouth]
Maya Elwood, Flagler [A, Jr., Perry Hall, Md./Queens (N.C)]
Lanie Carroll, Lee [A, Fr., Catharpin, Va./Battlefield HS]
Kennedy Goddard, Montevallo [M, Jr., Oakville, Ontario, Canada/Queens (N.C)]
Gencie Coan, Montevallo [M, Jr., Greenville, S.C./Converse]
Hailey Jasuta, Montevallo [D, Fr., Lexington, S.C./Lexington HS]
Morgan Hill, Lander [A, Fr., Southport, N.C./South Brunswick HS]
Elisha Lowes, Lander [A, Fr., Langley, British Columbia, Canada/Walnut Grove Secondary School]
Names submitted by teams; Players listed in alphabetical order by school