Rock Hill, S.C.----The defending champion Wingate University Bulldogs have been chosen as the preseason favorites in the women's soccer coach's poll, which was released Tuesday morning. In addition, Katie Ensalaco and Audur Helga Halldorsdottir are preseason first team All-SAC honorees, while Gabby Agelis has been named a Player to Watch.

The 'Dogs received five of the 11 first-place votes, finishing three points ahead of second-place Catawba, who received four first-place votes. Lenoir-Rhyne is in third, with the final two first-place votes. LMU is fourth, with Anderson, Carson-Newman, Coker and Emory & Henry rounding out the top eight. Newberry is ninth, followed by Tusculum and Mars Hill.

The Bulldogs went 12-4-3 in 2024, with a 9-1-1 record in league play. Wingate won the outright regular season SAC title for the first time in program history. The 'Dogs earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year and fourth time in the last five seasons.

Ensalaco was a first team All-SAC selection last season, piling up four goals and five assists on the year. She ranked second on the team in assists and third in goals, playing over 1500 minutes on the season. Ensalaco had an assist in each of the first two games of the year, while also notching an assist against Tusculum. She scored twice in the LMU victory, followed by a two-assist effort at Mars Hill. She scored two more goals in the Emory & Henry win.

Halldorsdottir was a first team All-SAC honoree in her freshman season. She led the Bulldogs with six assists and 20 points, ranking second on the team with seven goals. The freshman started all 19 games during her first season with the Bulldogs. Halldorsdottir had an assist in her collegiate debut, then scored a goal in her next game against Mount Olive. She scored again against Tusculum, while handing an assist against LMU. She had goals in back-to-back wins against Newberry and Anderson, while striking again against Carson-Newman. Halldorsdottir piled up two goals and an assist in the Carson-Newman victory. She had a pair of assists in the SAC Tourney quarterfinals against LMU.

Agelis appeared in 18 games for the 'Dogs last year, making 17 starts while playing over 1300 minutes. She helped the WU defense lead the league in goals-against average and shutouts during the regular season. The Bulldogs piled up eight shutouts on the year. Agelis also notched a pair of assists. Her first assist came against Newberry, while also handing out an assist in the Anderson win.

2025 SAC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll

Rank	School (First Place Votes)	Score
1.	Wingate (5)	94
2.	Catawba (4)	91
3.	Lenoir-Rhyne (2)	88
4.	Lincoln Memorial	66
5.	Anderson	64
6.	Carson-Newman	56
7.	Coker	47
8.	Emory & Henry	37
9.	Newberry	27
10.	Tusculum	25
11.	Mars Hill	10

2025 Preseason All-Conference – First Team

Forwards

• Bree Ehmer, Catawba
• Audur Helga Halldorsdottir, Wingate
• Addison Rishling, Tusculum
• Ansley Douty, Anderson

Midfielders

• Maria Rayburn, Catawba
• Katie Ensalaco, Wingate
• Ava Hartman, Lenoir-Rhyne
• Kylie Morin, Catawba

Defenders

• Noor Njeim, Coker
• Viktoria Filsner, Lincoln Memorial
• Donna van der Zalm, Lincoln Memorial
• Rosa Gonzalez, Lenoir-Rhyne

Goalkeeper

• Riley Miller, Lenoir-Rhyne

Players to Watch by Program

Wingate

• Gabby Agelis, Sr., D

Anderson

• Catherine Nardella, Sr., F
• Meggie Powell, Sr., D

Carson-Newman

• Felicia Frick, Sr., MF
• Malia Kim, Sr., MF
• Iris Palsdottir, Jr., D

Coker

• Rhyan Parkin, Jr., GK
• Noor Njeim, Sr., D

Emory & Henry

• Charlotte Stavis, Jr., F/M
• Olivia DaSilva, Sr., D
• Sadie Moseley, Fr., F

Lincoln Memorial

• Emma Cooke, Jr., GK

Mars Hill

• Samantha Swinson, Jr., F
• Mia Calderon, So., M/F
• Saga Karlsson Rowa, So., MF

Newberry

• Emily Castaneda, Sr., D
• Bella Gonzalez, So., MF
• Mikaela Warburton, So., MF
• Ella McDevitt, Sr., MF

Tusculum

• Wilma Axelsson, Gr., MF
• Marja Enste, Sr., D