ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Catawba College women's soccer team is expected to repeat as South Atlantic Conference champions per the league's preseason coaches' poll released on Monday morning.
On the heels of its seventh consecutive NCAA Regional berth, Catawba has scheduled six of the other 13 teams who represented the South and Southeast Regions in the postseason last year. Head coach Nick Brown, the defending SAC Coach of the Year and winningest coach in program history, leads a side that combines well-regarded returners – 10 of which started at least one match in 2024 – with promising newcomers like Cadence Setzer (sophomore transfer from Georgia State) and Irish Miles (grad transfer from Carson-Newman).
The Catawba Indians locked up six first-place votes to secure a four-point edge over second-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne, who reached the national quarterfinals last season. The Bears grabbed four No. 1 selections, followed by another defending NCAA at-large selection in Anderson. Rounding out the top four is Wingate, who nabbed the final first-place vote, as the Bulldogs look to rebound from their 5-5 record and sixth-place finish in the SAC last year.
All five returners who were all-conference picks last season landed on the preseason All-SAC list, accounting for one forward, one midfielder, and three of the four possible spots on defense. The Catawba Indians are represented by Bree Ehmer, Ella Matthews, Lucy Hack, Reese Robinson and Ali Skinner.
Ehmer looks to continue building her legacy after being named the D2CCA Ron Lenz National Player of the Year and winner of the SAC Presidents' Award in 2024. The Melbourne, Fla., product racked up 20 goals and six assists en route to gaining her third First Team All-SAC pick and being named Offensive Player of the Year. In three seasons at Catawba, Ehmer is fifth and sixth in the program's career goals and points standings, respectively.
Matthews, a senior midfielder who has also played attacking and defensive roles, is coming off a breakout season that saw her start all 22 contests and net six goals with two assists. She put together a midseason six-match point streak, highlighted by scoring the deciding goal with 14 seconds left at No. 4 North Georgia. Matthews adds a veteran presence to an otherwise young midfield that aims to take the next step.
Robinson and Hack anchored the Catawba Indians' back line in 2024, helping shut out seven SAC foes while allowing just five goals in 10 conference tilts. They were regarded as the premier center back pair in the league, going first and second among defenders in all-conference voting. As a sophomore last year, Hack started all 22 games and led all field players with 1,902 minutes of action. Robinson, entering her fifth year, has 47 career appearances with 30 starts in addition to three goals and two assists.
Skinner made a significant jump last season as the Huntersville, N.C., native served as Catawba's everyday starter at right back. Her combination of quickness and meticulous one-on-one guarding severely limited opponents' ability to convert crosses or create scoring opportunities from the wing. Skinner also found the back of the net five times – scoring four goals against conference teams – including a brace against Mars Hill.
The Catawba Indians' season opens at home on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 7:30 p.m. against Concord. The 2024 team will be honored with a ring ceremony shortly before first touch.
SAC women's soccer preseason coaches' poll
- Catawba (96 points, 6 first-place votes)
- Lenoir-Rhyne (92, 4 FPV)
- Anderson (76)
- Wingate (72, 1 FPV)
- Coker (66)
- Carson-Newman (58)
- Lincoln Memorial (42)
- Tusculum (42)
- Newberry (26)
- Emory & Henry (23)
- Mars Hill (12)
SAC women's soccer preseason all-conference
- F - Bree Ehmer, Catawba
- F - Katie Durham, Lenoir-Rhyne
- F - Ellie Polk, Wingate
- F - Ansley Douty, Anderson
- M - Ava Hartman, Lenoir-Rhyne
- M - Ella Wilke, Coker
- M - Ella Matthews, Catawba
- M - Hannah Denton, Coker
- D - Reese Robinson, Catawba
- D - Lucy Hack, Catawba
- D - Lauren Monday, Anderson
- D - Ali Skinner, Catawba
- GK - Madison Gutierrez, Newberry