BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Lee University women's soccer team has been predicted to finish third in the Gulf South Conference preseason coaches' poll which was released by the GSC office on Monday. Mississippi College, the defending GSC tournament champion, placed first in the close voting after receiving 159 points and four first-place votes. West Florida, a team the Lady Flames upset in the tournament's semifinal round last season, was second and picked up 153 points and seven first-place votes, while Lee rounded out the top three with 144 points and one first-place vote.
"Over the years I have tried to ignore what the preseason poll predicts as it rarely has any indication on the final standings," said Lee coach Chris Hennessey after viewing the votes. "Based on last season, Mississippi College and West Florida certainty deserve to be there. A lot can happen between now and the end of the season. It will be up to us to take one game at a time and compete for top honors."
Lee graduate students Kate Dirkse and Ellie Crisler were named to the 12-member GSC Women's Preseason All-GSC team. Dirkse was the workhorse for last season's Lady Flames. She started all 21 games and played 1,875 minutes, scoring seven goals and dishing off a pair of assists from her defensive assignment. Crisler, a talented forward, put 15 goals on the board and collected six assists.
"Kate and Ellie had good seasons last year and I anticipate them having another good year given what I have seen thus far. They have reported back with a real hunger about them, and we will need them at their best all year," commented Hennessey.
Lee freshmen Maddie Davis a midfielder out of Birmingham, Ala., Isabella Valentine a forward from Atascadero, Calif. and Hailey Johnson a forward from Charlotte, N.C., are listed on the GSC Coaches' Newcomer Watch List. "Our whole freshman class has meshed well with the team. They are doing a lot of learning right now, but based on my early observations they will certainly play an important role within the team this season," noted coach Hennessey after pointing toward three of his newcomers.
The Lady Flames will open the regular season on the road, traveling to Lenoir-Rhyne on Aug. 31 and to Carson-Newman on Sept. 2 before coming home to host North Georgia on Sept. 6.
2023 GSC WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
First-place votes in parentheses ( )
1. Mississippi College - 159 (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 Preseason All-GSC
GK - Maciah Lipsey, West Florida, Gr.*
D - Kate Dirkse, Lee, Gr.*
D – Mary Ella White, Mississippi College, Sr. #
D - Ahnalie Layman, West Florida, Jr.
M - Avery Heuerman, Mississippi College, Sr.*
M - Emma Young, Mississippi College, Sr.*
M - Manama Okada, West Florida, R-Sr.*
M - Destiny Herd, West Florida, Sr.
F - Ellie Crisler, Lee, Gr.*
F - Erin Heuerman, 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
