Sides and Berry Named to Preseason All-GSC Team, Lady Flames Selected Second in the GSC
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Lee University and the University of West Florida were picked to battle it out for the top honors in the annual 2024 Gulf South Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll. The poll and preseason teams were determined by the league’s head coaches, who were unable to vote for their own team or student-athletes.
The Argonauts topped the preseason predictions for the first time since 2019, after collecting 143 total points and 11-of-12 possible first-place votes. West Florida heads into this season as defending GSC regular season champions.
Reigning GSC tournament champion Lee was picked second with 129 points and two first-place votes. Mississippi College landed in the third spot with 123 points, followed by the University of Montevallo (110) and Union University (95) in fourth and fifth, respectively. Valdosta State University tallied 90 points for sixth, the University of West Alabama collected 72 points for seventh, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville was eighth with 70 points.
Under the leadership of first-year coach Lee Hughes, the Lady Flames will be seeking to replace four key players from last season, but six capable starters return, including All-GSC preseason picks (midfielder) Grace Berry and (defender) Avery Sides.
This year’s preseason team featured 14 student-athletes from six schools with 12 names earning postseason All-GSCrecognition last season. West Florida had a conference-best five selections, headlined by Mya Swinton who was last season’s GSC Player of the Year.
This year marks the 29th season of GSC women’s soccer and will be the first for Trevecca Nazarene University in the GSC. Teams will play 12 conference games over seven weeks.
The official start of the season is Thursday, Sept. 5, while conference play is scheduled to begin Sept. 20 (hosting West Alabama). The GSC Women’s Soccer Championship is set for Nov. 10, 15 and 17.
Exciting New Era for Lady Flames Soccer
It is an exciting time for the Lee women’s soccer team as the new era begins under Coach Lee Hughes. Former coach Chris Hennessey accepted the head post at the University of South Alabama and Coach Hughes has officially begun the practice sessions with his team.
The former University of Texas assistant and native of Old Colwyn, Wales will be seeking to replace two-time All-America defender Kate Dirkse. Julianna Lopes, Hailey Johnson, and Ellie Crisler also helped the Lady Flames enjoy a 16-1-4 season and the Gulf South Conference tournament title in 2023.
Coach Hughes does have several key players returning and could build around his defense with goalkeeper Abby Whitcomb, who started 16 games in net last season. Defenders Katie Wilson, Jordan Blair and Avery Sides are back to go along with midfielders Ashley Eulo and Grace Berry who all played considerable minutes last season.
The coach noted, “We have a good number of returners that I have not seen play yet as they are returning from injuries suffered last season. We have a good freshman class. I have not seen many of them play as they were recruited before I got here,” he explained. “I am definitely excited to see them. Also, we brought in a couple transfers that will help us.”
Coach Hughes lists getting closer as a group and then striving to be the hardest working team in America will be among his top priories in preseason training. “A big emphasis will be on both attacking and defensive transition,” he added. “Our girls really bought into the effort and energy that is required to do great things this past spring,” the coach stressed. “We will never be a team that gets out-worked. I think fans can expect to see that on display right from the get-go. Tactically this bleeds over into the game specifically in both transitions and defensive organization.”
Coach Hughes wants his first Lee team to be a deep team that is high energy. A team that never gets out worked. “That is why we strive to be the hardest working team in America. Fans should see a high energy, fast and exciting style,” he continued.
The July weather was extremely hot and it promises to be more of the same when for the regular-season openers on Sept. 6th at Eckerd College, followed by University of Tampa on (Sept. 8th). “That (weather) will not be a problem. It is the same for both teams and our mentality will use the heat as an advantage for us against opponents,” Coach Hughes said in closing.
Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. West Florida (11) – 143
2. Lee (2) – 129
3. Mississippi College – 123
4. Montevallo – 110
5. Union – 95
6. Valdosta State – 90
7. West Alabama – 72
8. Alabama Huntsville – 70
9. Trevecca Nazarene – 52
10. Christian Brothers – 47
11. Auburn Montgomery – 30
12. Delta State – 29
13. Spring Hill – 24
2024 Preseason All-GSC Team
Carmen Endicott, M, R-Sr., UAH^
Grace Berry, M, Jr., Lee*
Avery Sides, D, Jr., Lee
Eduarda Silva, D, Jr., Mississippi College^
Margherita Giubilato, F, Sr., Mississippi College*
Poppy Binding, F, R-Sr., Spring Hill^
Caroline Kimmel, D, Jr., Valdosta State
Molly Wooldridge, F, Sr., Valdosta State^
Kendall Blackmon, D, Sr., West Florida*
Emma Beltz, M, Sr., West Florida*
Bela Labovic, M, Sr., West Florida^
Ahnalie Layman, D, Sr., West Florida^
Maciah Lipsey, GK, Gr., West Florida*
Mya Swinton, F, R-Sr., West Florida*!
Listed alphabetically by school.
Includes a tie in voting, no tiebreaker.
* 2023 First Team All-GSC
^ 2023 Second Team All-GSC
! 2023 GSC Player of the Year
For the first time ever, all regular season soccer matches will be streamed exclusively on FloSports and FloFC. Fans who subscribe secure special GSC pricing, and those who use an .edu email from a GSC school-playing member institution can save even more on monthly or annual subscriptions.
