2015 GAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — After a 2014 season in which they won the regular season title and earned a runner-up finish in the GAC Conference Championship, Southern Nazarene University was picked to finish fourth in the 2015 GAC Women's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll.
The Crimson Storm earned 25 total points, including two first-place votes, second only to preseason favorite Ouachita Baptist. The Tigers, who won the 2014 GAC Conference Tournament, garnered four first-place votes and 32 points overall. Southwestern Oklahoma State and Harding round out the top three. The Bulldogs tallied 28 total points, while the Lady Bisons totaled 26 total points, as well as a first-place vote.
Southern Nazarene must replace a trio of First-Team All-GAC selections -
Mallary Pineda,
Bekah Stewart and
Breana Harris, but will return
Hannah Robinson, the 2014 GAC Freshman of the Year. She ranked second on the team, and in the top six in the GAC, in goals with six and in points with 13.
Alyssa Glitzke, a Second-Team All-GAC forward, scored three game-winning goals to rank second in the GAC.
Grace Self, who picked up three GAC Defender of the Week awards in 2014, netted the game-winning goal against Harding to secure the regular-season title.
Ouachita Baptist, runner up in 2011 and 2012, broke through by winning the GAC Championship on regular-season champion Southern Nazarene's home field. They became the first non-top seed to claim the GAC Tournament crown. They return the two-time GAC Offensive Player of the Year Haley Hatcher. She enters her senior season as the third-most prolific scorer in Division II as she has averaged 2.05 points per game in her two seasons in Arkadelphia. The Tigers also bring back Tessa Woodcock, a First-Team All-GAC selection last year and the 2014 GAC Tournament MVP.
The GAC coaches voted Southwestern Oklahoma State second in the poll. The Bulldogs, after winning the 2012 and 2013 GAC regular-season and tournament titles, missed the tournament field in 2014. They return four All-GAC selections - Ashlee Beitinger, Charlotte Eastman, Cori Kelly and Olivia Butler and bring back Samantha Nunez, a former First-Team All-GAC selection, who redshirted in 2014.
Harding placed third in the poll. The Bisons finished second in the GAC last season. Coach Dr. Greg Harris brings back five All-GAC selections this season, highlighted by First-Team choice Melita Sutherland. She has earned All-GAC honors in each of her two seasons with the Lady Bisons. Midfielders Audrey Adkison and Melissa Minnich plus defender Larkin Hatcher and goalkeeper Kaitlyn Miller made the 2014 All-GAC Second Team.
Southern Nazarene will begin their season Sept. 3, when they host Eastern New Mexico.
