2022 SAC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
ROCK HILL, N.C.- Carson-Newman was picked third in the South-Atlantic Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, as the league announced on Tuesday.
This is the fifth time under the direction of Simon Duffy that the Eagles have been predicted to finish in the top 3. The Catawba Indians were picked first, receiving 11 of the 12 first place votes, with Lenoir Rhyne receiving the other first place vote and being picked second.
"There are some wonderful teams in this league," Duffy said. "Catawba deservedly gets number 1, LR (Lenoir Rhyne) 2, us 3 and I think that's just a fight. I just hope we win the last game of the season."
C-N is coming off a campaign in which it went 10-5-3 overall and 7-3-1 in SAC play. This past season ended in the SAC Tournament semifinals falling to #10 ranked Catawba. Carson-Newman had plenty of success at home putting together a 7-1-2 record.
The highlight of 2021 came in the month of October. The Eagles put together a 5-1-1 record. C-N outscored its opponents 16-2 in the seven matches and put together five clean sheets.
The Eagles return 25 of their 31 goals scored from a season ago, led by Sydney Duncan who scored eight goals in her freshman season. Joining Duncan as returners include, fellow freshman standout Nellie Bryneus, senior Addie Henry and junior Abbie Zander.
"We are a very talented group, there is a really strong core that came back, and an exciting group that came in and we are continuing to work very hard," Duffy said.
Wingate and Limestone rounded out the top 5. Lincoln Memorial, Newberry, Anderson, Tusculum and Coker round out the top 10, with Mars Hill and Emory & Henry finishing out the poll.
The Eagles begin their 2022 season on Aug. 25 in Cleveland, Tenn. when it takes on Cedarville.
