Eagles Preseason Ranked Second in AAC, #24 in the Nation

from the AAC:

WALESKA, Ga. - Truett McConnell is the favorite to win the 2023 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Soccer championship, according to the AAC Coaches' Preseason Poll released on Friday.

The poll was voted on by the women's soccer coaches of the AAC. Truett McConnell received 13 of the 15 first-place votes to land the top spot with 223 points. The Lady Bears won the regular-season championship last season with a 13-0 league mark before going on and winning the tournament crown, outscoring their opponents 9-0 in three games.

Reinhardt sits second with one first-place vote and 210 points. Tennessee Wesleyan (192), Montreat (174), and Brenau (158) round out the top five.

Nationally, the Eagles come in at #24 to start the season after having a successful 2022 campaign and making it to the first round of the NAIA National Tournament.  

Reinhardt will have their chance to take back the title which they owned during the 2021 soccer season. Senior Team Captains, Sarah Bambrick, Lidia Herrera, Aryn Parrish, and Ella Higdon are all returning and ready to lead the team back to the top spot. 

The first game for the Eagles is a road game with William Carey (#5 NAIA), which will be played in Montgomery, Alabama on Tuesday, August 22nd.  Please visit www.reinhardteagles.com for the updated season schedule and ticket information.  The Eagles play several Top 25 teams this season including AAC rival - Truett McConnell - which is always a spirited contest when the two meet.  This season should not be any different as the two programs will be competing for the AAC Title.

The 2023 AAC Tournament is set to begin with the opening round games on Oct. 31 with the championship match set for Nov. 10. Ten teams advance to the league tournament.

Here is the complete poll:

2023 AAC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Votes) - Total Voting Points
1. Truett McConnell (13) - 223
2. Reinhardt (1) - 210
3. Tennessee Wesleyan - 192
4. Montreat - 174
5. Brenau - 158
6. Columbia - 140
7. Columbia International - 133
8. Milligan - 123
9. Bryan - 106
10. Pikeville (1) - 94
11. Johnson - 78
12. St. Andrews - 65
13. Union - 55
14. Bluefield - 32
15. Kentucky Christian - 17

https://www.aacsports.com/sports/wsoc/2023-24/releases/20230811f7g5kp