ATLANTA, GA (August 28, 2023) - Piedmont has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2023 Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Women’s Soccer Championship following a vote of the league’s nine head coaches, announced on Monday.
Reigning as the defending champions, Piedmont's prowess was duly recognized as they clinched the leading spot in the preseason poll, amassing an impressive 55 points. A triumphant narrative unfolded in their 2022 journey, commencing with an initial tie and loss in conference play. But then, the Lady Lions roared to life, igniting a six-game winning streak that left their opponents goalless. Their spectacular 6-1-1 record and a decisive 3-0 victory against Maryville saw them share the CCS Regular Season Championship and secure the coveted No. 1 seed for the conference tournament. The momentum surged forward, culminating in a series of captivating victories – a 4-0 triumph against Agnes Scott in the quarterfinals, a hard-fought 1-0 win over Covenant in the semis, and a dramatic penalty shootout triumph over Maryville in the title game.
Maryville, poised for an exhilarating season, secured the second spot with an impressive 51 points. As the dust settled on 2022, the Scots celebrated 11 resounding victories overall. Still fueled by the memory of a heart-wrenching penalty shootout defeat against Piedmont in the 2022 CCS Women's Soccer Championship game, Maryville is fiercely determined for redemption in 2023. The team's firepower remains potent, with nine of the top multi-goal scorers from last season's squad ready to make their mark. Sierra Lee, the leading goal-scorer, dominated the CCS charts with an impressive 13 goals, complemented by four crucial assists.
Belhaven, positioned to impress, clinched the third position with a commendable 45 points. The conclusion of the 2022 regular season saw them secure nine wins overall, accompanied by a captivating semifinal appearance in the conference tournament. The accolades kept pouring in, with four members of the team earning spots on last year's All-CCS team. Julianne Wilson's exceptional contributions were crowned with the prestigious CCS Goalkeeper of the Year honor.
Covenant, led by the veteran head coach Mark Duble, staked their claim to the fourth spot, amassing 36 points in this year's preseason poll. A storied program with 29 years of history, the Scots have maintained a consistent winning trajectory, marking their eighth consecutive winning season with an impressive 7-5-5 overall mark. The return of midfielder Leah Marr, who dominated almost every statistical category last season, promises to be a driving force for the team.
Anticipation is high as LaGrange takes the spotlight in the fifth position, reflecting upon an impressive 8-5-2 season from the previous year. The Panthers have regrouped, with midfielders Kaia King, Kendyl Anderson, and Lauren Williamson poised to lead the charge in the upcoming season.
Huntingdon (30 points), Berea (25), Agnes Scott (13), and Wesleyan (10) round out this year’s preseason poll.
The 2023 CCS women’s soccer conference play kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 16. The 2023 CCS Women’s Soccer Championship starts Tuesday, Oct. 24, and is wrapped up with the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 4, hosted by the highest seeded team.
A look at the 2023 CCS Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Preseason Poll:
2023 CCS WOMEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
| 1. Piedmont |
55 points |
| 2. Maryville |
51 points |
| 3. Belhaven |
45 points |
| 4. Covenant |
36 points |
| 5. LaGrange |
32 points |
| 6. Huntingdon |
30 points |
| 7. Berea |
25 points |
| 8. Agnes Scott |
13 points |
| 9. Wesleyan |
10 points |
ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine members institutions (Agnes Scott College, Berea College, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
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