CLINTON, Miss. — With three captains setting the tone and a roster packed with both veterans and newcomers, the Mississippi College women's soccer team is ready to make noise in 2025.

The Lady Choctaws wasted no time showing their potential, cruising to a 7–0 preseason victory over Mississippi Valley State, and now set their sights on a season-defining road trip to open September. MC will travel to face Dallas Baptist on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Dallas, Texas, before heading north to take on Texas Woman's on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Denton, Texas — two Lone Star Conference heavyweights that serve as instant barometers for where this Choctaws team stands.

Quick Hits From the Valley Match

The exhibition win provided a glimpse of MC's depth and attacking firepower:

• Parker St. Amant, one of the team's three captains, delivered a goal and an assist to spark the midfield.

• Freshman Gracie Davis scored in her debut, while fellow newcomer Addison Weems also found the net.

• Veterans stepped up, with goals from Lillie Young, Amelie Wittenkamp (1 goal, 1 assist), Paula Catalan, Olivia Graham, and Summer Utzig.

• Jaylen Bodry and Jadyn Mallory each added assists.

• Goalkeepers Celine Grothe and Brynn Hedberg split halves, combining for a shutout as MC outshot MVSU 33–1 and held a 13–1 advantage in shots on goal.

A Veteran Core

MC's leadership trio — St. Amant, defender Young, and midfielder Vail Wartes — provides stability across the spine of the team. Young anchors the back line, Wartes contributes box-to-box presence, and St. Amant creates chances from the middle. Add in returners like Paula Catalan, Brinnslee Picard, Grace Studinka, and additions like Wittenkamp, and the Choctaws boast a group capable of holding their own against elite competition.

Scouting Dallas Baptist

The first test comes Thursday night against a perennial national contender. Dallas Baptist finished 16–3–3 in 2024, advancing to the NCAA Regional second round and finishing ranked No. 15 in the United Soccer Coaches poll.

The Patriots boast one of the deepest and most balanced attacks in Division II:

• Taylor Tufts (9 goals, 6 assists) returns as a senior leader and proven scorer.

• McKenna Vela (6 goals, 11 assists) is a dual threat who creates as many chances as she finishes.

• Angelina Olmos (8 goals, 4 game-winners) adds another consistent option up front.

• Behind them, Anne Louthan and Kaleigh Naizer contribute steady midfield production.

With 59 goals scored last season and a .153 team shooting percentage, DBU will test the Lady Choctaws' back line from the opening whistle.

Scouting Texas Woman's

Two days later, MC faces another formidable challenge in Texas Woman's, a team that thrives on discipline and defensive toughness. The Pioneers went 11–4–4 in 2024, allowing just 14 goals across 19 matches.

Key returners include:

• Giselle Gutierrez (6 goals) as the top scoring option.

• Celeste Beltran (3 goals, 6 assists) controlling tempo from the midfield.

• Bella Alfaro (4 goals) providing another scoring punch.

TWU thrives in close matches, with six of its wins last season coming by a single goal. Their back line, led by veterans like Rylee Avery and Mia Thaxton, makes life difficult for opponents, especially at home.

What It Means

For Mississippi College, results in Dallas and Denton won't just be about wins and losses, they'll be about measuring progress against the standard of excellence in the region.

With a schedule that also includes home dates against Nova Southeastern (Sept. 11), West Florida (Sept. 21), and late-October tilts with Lee and Trevecca Nazarene, the Lady Choctaws will have no shortage of opportunities to build a postseason résumé.

But it all starts this week in Texas with a chance to prove MC belongs among the elite.