ITTA BENA, Miss. – Mississippi Valley State women's soccer team has been picked to finish in tenth place as part of the 2019 All-SWAC Preseason selection. The Devilettes earned 55 points from the poll, which was voted on by the conference's coaches and sports information directors.
In 2018, Valley finished ninth in the conference after going 2-5-3 against the SWAC and 5-9-4 overall. However the team will have to adjust following the departures of SWAC Player of the Year Laadi Isaaka and First Team Selection Karenth Zabala-Terrazas.
Howard was selected to win the conference, with Grambling State and Alabama State rounding out the top three.
The Devilettes kick off the season August 23rd at Nicholls State.
Preseason First-Team All-SWAC Soccer
Forward: Jojo Bernal, Prairie View A&M
Forward: Teaggan Illea, Alabama State
Forward: Aleeya Sawyer, Howard
Midfielder: Begona Rodriguez-Bravo, Texas Southern
Midfielder: Kailey Pena, Grambling State
Midfielder: Jalah Carter, Jackson State
Midfielder: Thalia Boucher, Howard
Defender: Florence David, Grambling State
Defender: Kendall Macauly, Howard
Defender: Jordyn King, Grambling State
Goalkeeper: Chioma Eriken, Southern
Preseason Second-Team All-SWAC Soccer
Forward: Mia Marshall, Texas Southern
Forward: Ayanna Gooden, Alabama A&M
Forward: Lauryen McKinney, Southern
Midfielder: Meaghan Fielding, Alabama State
Midfielder: McKenna Lupori, Alabama State
Midfielder: Victoria Thornton, Howard
Midfielder: Alexis Mack, Prairie View A&M
Defender: Ashley Thomas, Alabama State
Defender: Alanna Manning, Alabama State
Defender: Brooke Ianiero, Texas Southern
Goalkeeper: Alayah Hightower, Howard
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Begona Rodriguez-Bravo, Texas Southern
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Alayah Hightower, Howard
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Chioma Eriken, Southern
Predicted Order of Finish (Points)
1. Howard (172)
2. Grambling State (141)
3. Alabama State (138)
4. Prairie View A&M (133)
5. Texas Southern (97)
6. Southern (82)
7. Alabama A&M (73)
8. Jackson State (65)
9. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (59)
10. Mississippi Valley State (55)
11. Alcorn State (52)
