ATLANTA, Ga. (August 23, 2022) – Eight-time Southern Athletic Association Champion Centre was picked to add another banner, finishing first in the 2022 SAA women’s soccer preseason poll.

The Colonels earned five first place votes and 60 points to finish just ahead of defending tournament champion Rhodes. The Lynx received 55 points and two first place nods. Berry rounded out the top-three, grabbing a first-place vote and totaling 46 points.

Sewanee finished fourth with 45 points, followed by Birmingham-Southern (27 pts.) in fifth and Hendrix (25 pts.) in sixth. Millsaps (16 pts.) and Oglethorpe (15 pts.) finished off the ranking.

The poll was conducted among the SAA’s eight women’s soccer head coaches.

2022 SAA Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Centre - 60 pts. (5)
2. Rhodes - 55 pts. (2)
3. Berry - 46 pts. (1)
4. Sewanee - 45 pts.
5. Birmingham-Southern - 27 pts.
6. Hendrix - 25 pts.
7. Millsaps - 16 pts.
8. Oglethorpe - 15 pts.

Centre has been nothing short of dominant since women’s soccer in the SAA began in 2012. The Colonels are 56-2-5 all-time in conference play and have run the table in each of the last six seasons. A 2-2 draw with Sewanee on September 26, 2015 was the last time Centre didn’t come out on top in a league game. Led by 10 All-SAA selections, the Colonels advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national semifinalist Loras.

Rhodes was third in last season’s preseason poll and went 5-1-1 during the SAA season to finish runner-up. After getting by BSC 3-2 in the first round of the SAA Tournament, the Lynx beat Berry in the semifinals and Sewanee in the championship game to win the tourney title and earn a bid into the NCAA Tournament. Berry was also third in last season’s preseason poll and closed the season in that same spot, going 5-2 in the conference.

Six SAA teams jump right into action on the first game day of the season with Berry and Sewanee hosting games while Oglethorpe, Birmingham-Southern, Centre and Hendrix all go on the road Thursday, Sept. 1. Millsaps and Rhodes kick off their seasons the following day.

Fans can follow SAA soccer all season long with coverage and live links on SAA-Sports.com.