Rock Hill, SC - The South Atlantic Conference has released the Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, Preseason All-Conference, and Players to Watch for the 2026 season, with Lincoln Memorial securing the seventh place spot in the preseason poll and Donna van der Zalm, Emma Cooke, and Jade Brown being named as Players to Watch. 

Donna van der Zalm enters her senior campaign leading the backline, as she started all 18 matches for the Railspitters last season. Contributing to six shutouts in the 2024 season, the Netherlands defender also scored three goals for Lincoln Memorial. Van der Zalm was also named a 2025 Third-Team All Conference.

Jade Brown comes into the 2026 season ready to dominate the midfield, as she also started all 18 matches for Lincoln Memorial last season. The Australian senior contributed on both ends on the field, being apart of six shutouts while also scoring three goals and adding two assists for eight points. 

Emma Cooke is entering her senior season anchoring the defense in goal, starting all 18 matches in goal last season, totaling 1620 minutes. In the 2026 season, the Knoxville native recorded 73 saves for a 71% save percentage, while recording six shutouts. 

LMU was voted seventh in the coaches' poll, with Catawba earning the first place spot. The team will be on the road for their season opener as they travel Nashville, TN to face Trevecca Nazarene on Thursday, August 17th at 4 pm.

The full Coaches' Poll, Preseason All-Conference Teams, and Players to Watch can be found below.

SAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Catawba (6) 96
2. Lenoir-Rhyne (4) 92
3. Anderson 76
4. Wingate (1) 72
5. Coker 66
6. Carson-Newman 58
7t. Lincoln Memorial 42
7t. Tusculum 42
9. Newberry 26
10. Emory & Henry 23
11. Mars Hill 12

Preseason All-Conference
F – Bree Ehmer, Catawba
F – Katie Durham, Lenoir-Rhyne
F – Ellie Polk, Wingate
F – Ansley Douty, Anderson

MF – Ava Hartman, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF – Ella Wilke, Coker
MF – Ella Matthews, Catawba
MF – Hannah Denton, Coker

D – Reese Robinson, Catawba
D – Lucy Hack, Catawba
D – Lauren Monday, Anderson
D – Ali Skinner, Catawba

GK – Madison Gutierrez, Newberry

Players to Watch:

Anderson
Whitley Anderson

Carson-Newman
Alayna Corbitt
Malia Kim
Iris Palsdottir

Coker
Emma Brandt
Alexis Spivey

Emory & Henry
Bella Fairley
Cristina Ciofani
Elloree Kieffer

Lenoir-Rhyne
Mya Rivera
Ingrid Krakhellen
Rosa Gonzalez

Lincoln Memorial
Donna van der Zalm
Emma Cooke
Jade Brown

Mars Hill
Kayleigh Mallare
Sailor Clare
Avery Brechbiel

Newberry
Molly Quartly
Mikaela Warburton

Tusculum
Carme Escamilla
Kirsten Sadlon
Brynn Stokes

Wingate
Angela Maino
Katie Ensalaco
Audur Halldorsdottir