SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Samford soccer team was picked as the preseason favorite to win the Southern Conference, and three Bulldogs were named preseason All-SoCon when the league released its preseason poll and All-SoCon team Monday afternoon.
 
Samford's players named to the preseason All-SoCon team were forward Sam De Luca, defender Caroline Smith and goalkeeper Peyton Hull.
 
De Luca had a breakout year in 2025, being named the SoCon Player of the Year. She led the team and the SoCon with 15 goals scored. She also had four assists for a team and SoCon-leading 34 points. Her 15 goals are the second-highest single-season total in school history, and her 34 points rank third in school history.
 
Smith was named first team All-SoCon as a defender following the 2025 season. She scored two goals and dished out a team-high six assists for 10 total points. Her six assists were tied for third in the Southern Conference.
 
Hull was named second team All-SoCon last season. She led the Southern Conference with 13 wins and ranked second in the league with a 0.99 goals against average. Hull also led the league and tied for fifth in the nation with 11 shutouts.
 
Samford finished first in the preseason poll, voted on by the league's coaches, with 100 points and 10 of the 11 first-place votes. Last season, Samford won the SoCon regular-season title with a 7-0-2 conference record. The Bulldogs then won the SoCon Tournament to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Furman and ETSU tied for second in the poll with 80 points each, with Furman receiving the one remaining first-place vote. Following Furman and ETSU were Western Carolina (68 pts.), Chattanooga (67), Mercer (66), UNCG (43), Tennessee Tech (40), Wofford (32), The Citadel (19) and VMI (10).
 
Samford will open the 2026 season by playing at second-ranked Notre Dame on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The game is set for a 6 p.m. (CT) start from South Bend, Indiana. Samford's home opener is set for Sunday, Aug. 16, when the Bulldogs play host to Belmont at 6 p.m. at Shauna Yelton Field.
 
2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Samford (10)	100
T-2. Furman (1)	80
T-2. ETSU	80
4. Western Carolina	68
5. Chattanooga	67
6. Mercer	66
7. UNCG	43
8. Tennessee Tech	40
9. Wofford	32
10. The Citadel	19
11. VMI	10

 () denotes first-place votes
                                  
2026 Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team

F	Reagan Fitzgerald, ETSU
F	Norah Roller, Furman
F	Sam De Luca, Samford
F	Quinn Johnson, Chattanooga
MF	Georgia Shields, ETSU
MF	Payton Nutzman, Mercer
MF	Rina Ogimoto, UNCG
D	Ella Parker, ETSU
D	Anna Bachman, Mercer
D	Caroline Smith, Samford
D	Mary Mueth, Western Carolina
GK	Peyton Hull, Samford

 
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