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The Mississippi College Women’s Soccer program has been picked to finish 4th in the Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll. It was announced on Thursday (Aug.4).
The Lady Choctaws, coming off of a 2015 season in which they finished 14-4-4 overall and national runner-up in the NCCAA Championship, collected 83 total points in their return to the poll after over 20 years in Division III.
Lee (114 points) is the preseason favorite to win the GSC after claiming a share of the GSC Regular Season last season with North Alabama at 10-2. They received 7 of the 11 first place votes.
West Florida (111 points) and North Alabama (104 points) sit in front of the Lady Choctaws at second and third. West Alabama (82 points), finishing one point behind MC, rounds out the top five.
In at the 6th spot is Christian Brothers (73 points), followed by: Valdosta State (61 points), West Georgia (53 points), Union (44 points), Alabama Huntsville (33 points), Shorter (22 points) and Delta State (12 points).
“What an honor to see us ranked 4th in the conference for our first year in,” head coach Darryl Longabaugh said. “The girls have worked very hard to gain that respect from the conference, so I’m very proud for them. I’m sure, though, that they want to finish much higher than that this year and will work hard to do just that. I’m Very excited to see that and looking forward to our first season as full members in the GSC.”
The preseason all-conference selections were also announced, which includes 12 members. MC was not eligible to have players selected for the preseason All-GSC team.
Each team had two incoming players named to the 2016 Top Newcomers list. Freshman Kyra Montes(Shreveport, La.) and redshirt freshman Katie Taylor (Tupelo, Miss.), a University of Arkansas transfer, were selected as the representatives from MC.
The Lady Choctaws will open up their regular season on the road against Embry-Riddle University on Saturday, Sept. 3.
