As one of the few college soccer conferences split into two regions, the SEC provides a varied and elite challenge as they sent nine teams to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, one fewer than the ACC, who led with ten. Tennessee and Alabama won their respective regions before South Carolina upset the latter to win the conference tournament. With the season a week away, here is the preview you need for the SEC soccer season.

2022 SEC East Regular Season Standings:

1. Tennessee 7-2-1 (11-6-2) – First Round

An epic regular season ended quickly with two upset losses, first to Georgia in their first game of the SEC Tournament, then to Xavier in the opening-round of the NCAA Tournament. Life gets no easier for a team that will have to replace multiple leaders, as Claire Rain, who played the second most minutes, and First Team All-SEC Taylor Huff, transfer to reunite with their former head coach, who took the Florida State job ahead of last season. But head coach Tennessee head coach Joe Kirt has a few ace transfers of his own, with Second-Team All-Ivy League Elizabeth Lawton and Boston College captain Samantha Agresti making their way down south.

2. South Carolina 6-3-1 (15-4-5) – Round of 16

It is not how you start, it is how you finish, and after starting last fall as the 12th ranked team in the country, then dropping to unranked, South Carolina ended their season as SEC Tournament Champions and a trip to the Round of 16. And with several of their best players returning, South Carolina will look to maintain their strong play through the season.

3. Vanderbilt 5-3-2 (12-5-4) – Second Round

When Vanderbilt was at its best, they played free-flowing soccer and scored for fun, but at times the offense sputtered, as shown by their failure to score more than a goal in a game in their last five of the season. That gets even tougher next season as Raegan Kelley, the Vanderbilt leader in goals and assists, has graduated from the program. But with the tenth-ranked recruiting class in the country and a transfer in forward Jada Konte, who was All-BIG EAST first team at UCONN, Vanderbilt will believe in their chances at another good season.

4. Georgia 5-3-2 (13-6-3) – Second Round

Georgia is coming, and 2022 was just a preview as under new coach Keidane McAlpine, the program won its most games since 2013. All they have done since then is add back-to-back Pac-12 Midfielder of the Year and Mac Hermann Trophy favorite Croix Bethune to the program, along with the 18th-ranked recruiting class in the country.

5. Missouri 2-5-3 (5-8-4)

A common theme in the SEC is teams who spearhead their rebuild with great recruiting cores, and Missouri is no different with the 30th-ranked class in the country. This progress is vital for a team that had a decent season and returns eight of the eleven players that led the team in minutes. Missouri could reach new heights with that combination of new talent and established starters.

6. Kentucky 0-8-2 (7-9-2)

As can happen in a conference as deep as the SEC, Kentucky dominated its non-conference opponent with a 7-1 record but then went winless in league play. Fortunately, half of their conference games were decided by a goal or less, meaning there is room for growth if they can flip more of those results this fall.

7. Florida 0-9-1 (2-14-1)

A daunting schedule proved too much for Kentucky as they won twice and went winless in their last 12 games. Rest assured, coach Samantha Bohon is ready for her second season as the leader of Florida, aided by the 40th ranked recruiting class in the country boasting ten+ additions for the fall.

 

2022 SEC West Regular Season Standings:

1. Alabama 10-0-0 (23-3-1) – Semifinalist

As the gold standard for the SEC, Alabama put together an incredible fall as regular season champions, finalists of the conference tournament, and a final four trip in the NCAA Tournament. Importantly, leaders like Felicia Knox, Sasha Pickard, and Gessica Skorka return to the spine of a team that will rely on their experience. An underrated addition is Itala Gemelli, a transfer from Dayton University who is one of the more underrated forwards in college soccer.

2. Arkansas 6-2-2 (13-4-5) – Quarterfinalists

The second-best performing SEC team in the NCAA Tournament came from the West division as Colby Hale led his Arkansas team to another epic season. The team has now strung double-digit wins for seven straight seasons while navigating life in one of the toughest conferences in college soccer. The standards are high as the program brings in another elite recruiting class.

3. LSU 4-2-4 (10-4-7) – Second Round

With several players heading for professional soccer after the season, LSU has a bit of a rebuild to do. Fortunately, they have the impressive Ida Hermannsdottir returning, a Freshman All-American who scored seven goals last season. What will help is a transfer like Hali Hartman, who started all 20 games as a freshman at Oklahoma, and Ava Galligan, the 34th-ranked recruit in the 2023 class.

4. Mississippi State 4-4-2 (12-6-4) – Second Round

As a team whose three top scorers were either freshmen or sophomores and return for this fall, Mississippi State is set up well for this season and the next. And as that core continues to develop its chemistry, this could be one of the most entertaining programs to watch next season.

5. Texas A&M 3-4-3 (9-7-5) – First Round

Texas A&M boasts the eighth-ranked class in the country as the program won the recruitment battle in talent-rich Texas. They also add Boston College captain Sam Smith, a player bringing more offensive firepower to aid the talented Maile Hayes, who was First Team All-Conference and the fourth top scorer in the SEC with ten.

6. Mississippi 3-6-1 (9-7-4)

A late regular season collapse where Ole Miss went winless in the last eight games, including seven losses, knocked the team out of contention to secure an automatic tournament bid. Even more devasting is that five of those results were decided by a goal or less, pointing to the thin margins of playing in the SEC. New head coach Molly Rouse will have all her work cut out for her as she has had little time to build her desired roster.

7. Auburn 2-6-2 (6-6-6)

Recording six draws, Auburn was a few favorable results away from creeping towards a ten-win season. Those results did go their way last season, as they won 12 and only drew once. That is soccer sometimes, and Auburn will return for a season looking to take more control of their fortunes and return to the NCAA tournament.

 

Top Freshmen to Watch:

Sydney Watts, Vanderbilt (#24 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

The back-to-back Kansas Gatorade player of the year and U17 U.S. National Team member heads to Vanderbilt as the highest-ranked recruit in the SEC. With great goalscoring ability and a sense of doing whatever the team needs, Watts should immediately impact one of the most tactically organized programs in college soccer.

Kiera Staude, Georgia (#30 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

Staude, a defender and 2022 ECNL National champion projects to make an immediate impact for Georgia. She started the first game of pre-season and displayed outstanding athleticism and tactical understanding for someone fresh to college soccer. Elite talent like Staude signals a promising future for Georgia.

Ava Galligan, LSU (#34 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

The versatile attacker is a much-needed addition for an LSU team rebuilding while looking to aid Hermannsdottir. With an opportunity for early playing time, Galligan could have an impact that leads to SEC Freshman of the Year recognition.

Margo Matula, Texas A&M (#36 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

In Matula, Texas A&M lands one of the top defenders in the state and country. The program has focused on winning the recruitment battle in the state, and it is paying off as they load up on regional talent. Matula is the kind of defender that Texas A&M can build its core around in the future.

Sophie Johnson, South Carolina (#48 Ranked TDS Class of 2023)

South Carolina has built strength on a defensive foundation, and they add to that with Johnson, one of the best in the 2023 recruiting class. It is not yet clear what role the Virginia native will play on a team that returns many starters, but whatever that is, Johnson will be a talented option.

Top Players to Watch:

Croix Bethune, Georgia

As the top-ranked player going into the college soccer season, Bethune will come into the SEC with quite a reputation. Bethune has the talent that changes what a team feels it can accomplish, and Georgia will rely on that to reach new heights.

Felicia Knox, Alabama

A set-piece specialist and NCAA leader in assists last season with 20, Alabama has arguably the best playmaker in the country on their hands. The reining SEC Midfielder of the Year will look to take on even more of a leadership role for a team with a target on its back after reaching the NCAA Final Four.

Anna Haddock, Auburn

As one of the most recognized names in college soccer, Haddock has totaled 38 goal contributions in her first three seasons. With the team taking a step back last season, Haddock has all the motivation needed to have a special senior season as someone professional scouts are after.

Anna Podojil, Arkansas

Returning for a fifth season, the 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year, 2020 Forward of the Year, 2021 Conference Top Scorer, and four-time First Team All-SEC selection, Podojil is the most decorated player in the country. It is unique to have a player with plenty of professional looks return to the program, which is a blessing for Arkansas and college soccer to have one of its stars back in action.

Jaida Thomas, Tennessee

Another legendary player returning for one last go, Thomas is six goals away from setting the Tennessee program record for career goals. At the rate Thomas scores, and with some offensive talent leaving the program, the Texas native will need to be at her best yet and lead in new ways.