Mississippi Christian Picks Fifth in GSC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll

Clinton, Miss. — Mississippi Christian University was selected to finish fifth in the 2026 Gulf South Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll, announced Monday by the league. The Lady Choctaws garnered 86 points, just one point behind fourth-place Delta State.

Lee was named the preseason favorite with 120 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by Montevallo with 112 points and two first-place votes. West Alabama ranked third with 94 points. Mississippi Christian aims to build on last year’s campaign and establish itself among the conference’s top programs.

The team will feature a mix of returning experience and new talent, including two players named to the conference’s 2026 Newcomers to Watch list. Junior midfielder Lille Grace McCutchen from Oxford, Mississippi, and junior forward Kerri Ann O’Hara from Tubbercurry, Ireland, are among those recognized. The conference selected 21 newcomers across the league for its watch list, highlighting players expected to impact the season.

The preseason All-GSC team includes 13 players from seven schools. Montevallo led all programs with four selections, while Lee and West Alabama each had two. Four players on the list earned All-GSC honors in 2025, including Montevallo’s Lainey Farabaugh, a first-team pick. Nine others made the second team last season.

Mississippi Christian was not represented on the preseason team but will have opportunities to make an impact when the regular season begins later this month. The Lady Choctaws will rely on their blend of returning players and newcomers to challenge the league’s top teams in 2026.

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