CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi Christian University has been picked to finish fifth in the 2026 Gulf South Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, as announced by the conference Monday.
The Lady Choctaws received 86 points in the preseason voting, placing them just one point behind fourth-place Delta State (87). Lee was selected as the preseason favorite with 120 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by Montevallo with 112 points and two first-place votes. West Alabama rounded out the top three with 94 points.
Mississippi Christian enters the 2026 season looking to build on last year's campaign and continue establishing itself among the GSC's top programs.
The Lady Choctaws will feature a mix of returning experience and new talent, including two Mississippi Christian players named to the conference's 2026 Newcomers to Watch list.
Junior midfielder Lille Grace McCutchen, an Oxford, Mississippi, native, is among the conference's newcomers to watch after joining the Lady Choctaws. Junior forward Kerri Ann O'Hara, a native of Tubbercurry, Ireland, also earned a spot on the list.
The GSC selected 21 newcomers from across the league for its Newcomers to Watch list, highlighting players expected to make an impact during the upcoming season.
The 2026 GSC Women's Soccer Preseason Team features 13 players representing seven conference programs. Montevallo led all schools with four selections, while Lee had two. West Alabama also had two selections.
The preseason team includes four players who earned All-GSC honors in 2025, including Montevallo's Lainey Farabaugh, who was a First Team All-GSC selection. Nine players were named to the 2025 Second Team All-GSC.
Mississippi Christian was not represented on the preseason team, but the Lady Choctaws will have an opportunity to make their mark when the regular season begins later this month.
The Lady Choctaws will look to use their combination of returning players and newcomers to challenge the GSC's preseason favorites throughout the 2026 campaign.
2026 GSC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
- Lee — 120 points (10 first-place votes)
- Montevallo — 112 points (2 first-place votes)
- West Alabama — 94 points
- Delta State — 87 points
- Mississippi Christian — 86 points
- Valdosta State — 64 points
- UAH — 61 points
- Spring Hill — 48 points
- Union — 43 points
- Trevecca Nazarene — 38 points
- AUM — 27 points
- Christian Brothers — 12 points
— Mississippi Christian opens the 2026 season with a roster featuring several newcomers and will look to make its push in the GSC standings this fall.
