SAC predicts C-N to finish sixth in preseason poll
On Tuesday morning, the South Atlantic Conference has released its women’s soccer preseason coaches’ poll, projecting a sixth-place finish for Carson-Newman in 2025.
ROCK HILL, S.C. – On Tuesday morning, the South Atlantic Conference released its women's soccer preseason coaches' poll, projecting a sixth-place finish for Carson-Newman in 2025.
The Eagles earned 56 points in the poll to check in at sixth. Last season, Carson-Newman finished SAC play with a 3-5-3 record and finished in eighth to qualify for the SAC Tournament. The Eagles gave Wingate, the regular season champions, all they could ask for in the SAC quarterfinals, falling by a 1-0 margin despite tying the Bulldogs in the shots category.
For just the second time over the last decade, three teams or more received multiple first-place votes in the preseason poll. The 2016 SAC preseason poll was the last time three teams received multiple first-place votes.
The top three spots in the poll are separated by just six points. Wingate, the reigning regular season champions, earned the most first-place votes (5) to finish atop the preseason poll.
Catawba is close behind the Bulldogs with four first-place votes and 91 points for second place. Lenoir-Rhyne received the final two first-place votes and was picked third.
"All three of the teams at the top are all wonderful teams," Carson-Newman head coach Simon Duffy said. "They have all competed at a very high level the last few years. I know where we were picked this year is kind of based off last year's results. Every one of those top three teams deserve that recognition and are getting those votes for a reason."
There is a significant drop off between third and fourth place. Lincoln Memorial and Anderson were separated by just two points, with the Railsplitters just ahead of the Trojans for fourth.
Coker was selected seventh with 47 points, while Emory & Henry closed the top eight ten points behind the Cobras.
Newberry, Tusculum and Mars Hill round out the final three spots in the preseason poll.
Carson-Newman opens the 2025 season on September 4th, on the road against Union at 3:00 p.m. The game can be streamed on FloSports with a subscription. Fans can also follow along to @CN_Eagles on X (Twitter) and Instagram for in-game updates.
2025 SAC Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll
|
Pl. |
School (1st place) |
Pts |
|
1 |
Wingate (5) |
94 |
|
2 |
Catawba (4) |
91 |
|
3 |
Lenoir-Rhyne (2) |
88 |
|
4 |
Lincoln Memorial |
66 |
|
5 |
Anderson |
64 |
|
6 |
Carson-Newman |
56 |
|
7 |
Coker |
47 |
|
8 |
Emory & Henry |
37 |
|
9 |
Newberry |
27 |
|
10 |
Tusculum |
25 |
|
11 |
Mars Hill |
10 |
