RICHARDSON, Texas - After an improved season in 2022, Eastern New Mexico Women's Soccer have been selected to finish 12
th in the annual Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll as voted upon by coaches and representatives across the league on Thursday afternoon. The Greyhounds accumulated 114 points in the poll.
After winning the 2022 regular season and conference tournament championship, DBU has been selected to win the conference with 937 first place votes and 504 total points. Angleo State followed the Lady Patriots, picking up 457 total points. West Texas A&M rounded out the top-three taking 412 total points and one first place vote.
Along with the preseason poll, three women's soccer student-athletes received preseason awards. DBU's Annie Severide and Rachel Allen were selected as Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively. Rounding out the awards, West Texas A&M's Reagan Heelan was recognized as the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
Additionally, the LSC recognized three Greyhounds as Preseason Players to Watch:
Abby Ditzler,
Sierra Villanueva, and
Samantha Jeffries. Ditzler contributed a goal and 11 shots (2
nd most on the team in 2022) in their first year with ENMU. Villanueva and Jeffries record career highs in minutes in 2022, with Villanueva playing 78.3 minutes per game in defense, while Jeffries recorded a conference high 101 saves in goal.
Following a record of 5-10-2 in last season, head coach
Eric Belcher returns for his second season on the sidelines Eastern New Mexico. The Greyhounds bring back 13 members from the 2022 season and add 20 new additions to the squad.
Eastern start their season in Colorado, where they will face Adams State (Aug. 31) and Fort Lewis (Sept. 2) in Alamosa, Colo. ENMU play there first home contest on Sept. 6, when in-state rival New Mexico Highlands with kick-off set for 6 p.m.
2023 Lone Star Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
| Rank |
School |
1st Place Votes |
Total Points |
| 1. |
DBU |
37 |
504 |
| 2. |
Angelo State |
|
457 |
| 3. |
West Texas A&M |
1 |
412 |
| 4. |
Lubbock Christian |
|
351 |
| 5. |
St. Mary's |
|
339 |
| 6. |
St. Edward's |
1 |
318 |
| 7. |
Midwestern State |
|
299 |
| 8. |
UT Tyler |
|
219 |
| 9. |
Texas A&M International |
|
182 |
| 10. |
Oklahoma Christian |
|
149 |
| 11. |
Texas Woman's |
|
127 |
| 12. |
Eastern New Mexico |
|
114 |
| 13. |
UT Permian Basin |
|
78 |
