SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Samford University soccer team was picked to finish second in the Southern Conference, and two Bulldogs were named to the preseason All-SoCon team when the league released its preseason poll and awards Thursday afternoon.
 
Midfielder Whitaker Buchanan and defender Ella Simpson were Samford's representatives on the preseason All-SoCon team.
 
Last season, Buchanan tallied three goals and three assists for a total of nine points. Simpson tied for third on the team, netting four goals from her defensive position.
 
Samford was picked second in the preseason poll with 72 total points and two first-place votes. The preseason favorite in the poll was defending champion Western Carolina, garnering 80 points and eight first-place votes.
 
Samford was followed in the poll by ETSU (60 points), Mercer (57), Furman (46), Chattanooga (45), UNC Greensboro (39), Wofford (22), The Citadel (19) and VMI (10).
 
Samford opens the 2024 regular season by hosting Tennessee Tech on Thursday, Aug. 15. The game is set for a 6 p.m. start from Shauna Yelton Field and admission is free.
 
2024 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Western Carolina (8): 80
2. Samford (2): 72
3. ETSU: 60
4. Mercer: 57
5. Furman: 46
6. Chattanooga: 45
7. UNCG: 39
8. Wofford: 22
9. The Citadel: 19
10. VMI: 10
 
() denotes first-place votes
 
2024 Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team
F: Jada Moorman, Mercer
F: Larkin Thomason, Mercer
F: Isabella DeMarco, Western Carolina
MF: Nieva Gaither, Furman
MF: Whitaker Buchanan, Samford
MF: Clarissa Salinas, Chattanooga
MF: Naya Marcil, Western Carolina
D: Sydney Somogyi, ETSU
D: Ella Simpson, Samford
D: Becca Campbell, Western Carolina       
GK: Ashton Blair, ETSU
 
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