The World Cup is in full swing, and Legacy Library has devoted part of its soccer coverage to previewing mid-major women’s collegiate teams nationwide.
With roughly two months until the season starts, let’s shift our focus to the Sun Belt and check in on some players you’ll want to familiarize yourself with. Given the current state of college athletics and the ever-changing rosters in the transfer portal era, we have included only schools that have publicly released official 2026 rosters. As a result, Arkansas State and Georgia State are not on this list.
This list includes Appalachian State through Louisiana. Stay tuned for Louisiana Tech through Troy later this week!
Appalachian State
Hayden Petrick, D, R-Jr.: Petrick emerged as a reliable workhorse down the stretch, playing all 90 minutes in each of her final three games last year. The longer that she’s on the pitch, the better chances the Mountaineers have of impressing this season.
Taylor Duff, MF, Jr.: Duff transfers in from Capital University, a Division III school in Columbus, Ohio. She earned 2025 Co-Ohio Athletic Conference Midfielder of the Year honors and averaged nearly 85 minutes per match. How will she fare upon moving to Division I?
Coastal Carolina
Eefje Botjer, D, So.: The German-born Botjer was the only Chanticleer women’s soccer player to appear on an All-Sun Belt team last year. She is as durable as they come, playing a complete game in 24 of her 37 collegiate matches.
Georgia Southern
Caitlin Conroy, MF, Sr.: In the era of the transfer portal, the England-born Conroy is a throwback. She initially signed with Georgia Southern ahead of the 2023 season and has remained in Statesboro, starting a career-high 16 matches last year.
James Madison
Ginny Lackey, F, Jr.: The reigning Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, Ginny Lackey scored 28 points and had four game-winning goals in her sophomore season. She scored 62 points in her first two years, and we won’t be surprised if she quickly approaches 100 for her career within the coming months.
Sofia DeCerb, GK, R-Jr.: Previously an accomplished high school goalie in Pennsylvania, DeCerb recorded 10 shutouts in her first two college campaigns. Injuries limited her to 13 games last year, though her save percentage skyrocketed from roughly 66% to 75.5%.
Louisiana
Carson Glenn, F, R-So.: Glenn captured Freshman of the Year with 18 points, with 14 coming during conference play. Unsurprisingly, she was one of two Louisiana players who cracked the All-Sun Belt first team. As for the second?
Miku Kurihara, MF, So.: Kurihara will forever go down in Sun Belt history as the conference’s inaugural Midfielder of the Year. She recorded 16 points for the Ragin’ Cajuns and immediately proved she could handle playing Division I soccer. Not too shabby!
Salma Elhaimer, F, Sr.: After playing her first three seasons at McNeese State, Elhaimer recorded six goals and three assists upon transferring to Louisiana. Keep your eyes on her as a dark horse All-Sun Belt first-team candidate.
Which women’s college soccer players are you excited to watch this season? Let us know in the comment section!
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