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, Louisiana Monroe is not on this list.
As a result, the list includes Louisiana Tech through Troy. Those looking for Appalachian State through Louisiana can read here.
Louisiana Tech
Cadence Rutledge, GK, Gr.: Rutledge only needed two seasons to record 138 saves at La. Tech, and she already ranks fourth in program history. Her 92 saves last year set a program record for senior goalies, and she ranked 15th nationally with 6.15 saves per game.
Mary Helen Burford, D, Jr.: Burford did her best Lou Gehrig impression last season, playing the full 90 in 13 of the Bulldogs’ 19 matches. She earned All-CUSA third-team honors and earned a midseason promotion to captain. New conference, same Burford? If so, the Bulldogs will be just fine.
Marshall
Emma Durand, GK, Jr.: The France-born Durand had six shutouts in 14 games last year, though she also allowed 13 goals. Which version of Durand will the Herd get this season? We’re confident that it’ll be more of the former.
Luiza Travassos, M, Gr.: None of Marshall’s All-Conference players are still with the program, and the Herd desperately needs Travassos to regain her freshman form. She had eight points in 2022, but missed 2023 due to an injury and has managed just four points over the last two years. The talent is there, so don’t be shocked to see Travassos show out to end her college career.
Old Dominion
Ashley Economopoulos, F, So.: Economopoulos shone as a true freshman, scoring 15 points over 18 games and eight starts. That earned her a spot on the All-Sun Belt third team, and no one should be surprised if she finds her way onto the first team.
(Side note: Old Dominion did something I really love. Each player profile on the women’s soccer team asks for a fun fact and why they chose ODU. For example, Economopoulos said, “Because I love the competitive style of play and how family oriented the team is!” Very cool feature that adds more personality to the players.)
Ashlynn Kulha, D, Sr.: Kulha won her second Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in conference history to even capture the award twice. Will she three-peat? It’s hard to bet against her at this point.
Ellie Goodrich, GK, Sr.: Goodrich cracked the All-Sun Belt third team after recording 20 saves over 10 starts. She recorded six shutouts and ended the year with nearly a 77% save percentage. Let’s see what she has in store for her senior year.
South Alabama
Andrea Iljkic, M/F, R-Jr.: Iljkic scored nine points and started 16 games after transferring in from LSU. Look for Iljkic to take the second-year jump many players make as they become more familiar with the team and program.
Sierra Giorgio, GK, Gr.: Giorgio is the reigning Sun Belt Goalkeeper of the Year, having saved 57 goals and only allowing nine in nearly 1,300 minutes. Think about that for a second. Giorgio had nearly as many shutouts (nine) as goals given up.
Zamiyah Hill, F, R-So.: South Alabama has assembled an extremely intriguing core, especially through the portal. A Florida transfer, Hill scored 11 points in 17 games and 16 starts, earning All-Sun Belt second-team honors along the way.
Southern Miss
Lorilee Taylor, F, Jr.: Taylor emerged as a starter last year, recording two points and averaging over 61 minutes per match. The Golden Eagles would absolutely benefit if she could get that number over 65, if not higher.
Rhyleigh Marks, M, Sr.: Originally from the United Kingdom, Marks began her career at SUNY Ulster, a Division III school in New York, before moving to Southern Miss ahead of the 2025 season. She scored four points in her first Division I campaign.
Troy
Taylor Richards, GK, Sr.: An Auburn transfer, Richards quickly proved exactly why she began her career in the SEC. Richards led the Sun Belt with 66 saves, and her 83.5% save percentage ranked 32nd nationally. We fully expect her to match, and even surpass, her four shutouts from a year ago.
Which women’s college soccer players are you excited to watch this season? Let us know in the comment section!
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