DALLAS, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is predicted to win the 2024 American Southwest Conference Champion title after gathering 47 points and seven first-place votes in the 2024 ASC Preseason Women’s Soccer Poll, released Thursday. Conference head coaches and sports information directors eligible for postseason play voted on the order of finish.
Hardin-Simmons sophomore forward Lexi Templin was selected Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Cru senior midfielder Kelsey White was selected Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Templin was All-ASC First Team and ASC Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2023. She led the Cowgirls with 18 goals, ranking second in the league. Templin also had five game-winners and four assists on the season. White was All-ASC First Team, selected ASC Defensive Player of the Year and an USC All-America selection for the 2023 campaign. She supported a defense that allowed just eight goals on the season and recorded 12 shutouts.
Mary Hardin-Baylor won the ASC Regular Season title last season with a 7-0-1 conference record. The Cru posted a 16-1-2 overall record and led the ASC in goals against per game (.42) and ranked second in goals per game (2.21). UMHB received votes in the USC DIII Top 25 Preseason Poll.
Hardin-Simmons notched the remaining three first place votes and was selected second with 42 points. The Cowgirls earned the 2023 ASC Championship title and posted a 17-2-3 record and 6-1-1 conference record last season. Hardin-Simmons was ranked 18
th in the USC DIII Top 25 Preseason Poll.
East Texas Baptist comes in third with 25 points after going 5-5-6 last season with a 2-4-2 conference mark. Howard Payne was predicted fourth with 23 points after a season at 10-7-2 overall and 4-2-2 in the ASC. LeTourneau closes the poll in fifth with 13 points going 6-7-5 last season with a 0-5-3 conference record.
UT Dallas will not count in the 2024 standings and are ineligible for both the ASC and NCAA Championships due to the Comets reclassifying to NCAA Division II.
17 soccer players were tabbed by coaches on the 2024 ASC Women’s Soccer Players to Watch List. This group includes: 2023 ASC Defensive Player of the Year, Kelsey White (UMHB), 2023 ASC Goalkeeper of the Year, Jade Press (UTD), 2023 ASC Midfielder of the Year, Gabby Aviles (HSU), and 2023 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Alexis Templin (HSU).
Season play begins on August 30 for these teams.
2024 ASC Women’s Soccer Schedule
2024 ASC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st votes) |
Pts. |
2023 Record (ASC) |
| 1. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor (7) |
47 |
16-1-2 (7-0-1) |
| 2. |
Hardin-Simmons (3) |
42 |
17-2-3 (6-1-1) |
| 3. |
East Texas Baptist |
25 |
5-5-6 (2-4-2) |
| 4. |
Howard Payne |
23 |
10-7-2 (4-2-2) |
| 5. |
LeTourneau |
13 |
6-7-5 (0-5-3) |
| $- |
UT Dallas |
-- |
9-2-7 (2-1-5) |
2024 ASC Preseason Players of the Year
Offense: Lexi Templin, F, So., Hardin-Simmons
Defense: Kelsey White, MF, Sr., Mary Hardin-Baylor
2024 ASC Women’s Soccer Players to Watch
| Name |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Team |
Hometown |
| Gabby Aviles* MF |
MF |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Donna, Texas |
| Makayla Baxter* |
D |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Deer Park, Texas |
| Kelauna Cruz |
GK |
Jr. |
LeTourneau |
Magnolia, Texas |
| Brenna Douthit* |
MF |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Waxahachie, Texas |
| Mallory Duncan* |
D |
Jr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Round Rock, Texas |
| Kaitlyn Futschik* |
MF |
Sr. |
UT Dallas |
Lake Jackson, Texas |
| Kennedy Harris* |
D |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Missouri City, Texas |
| Chanel Kemball-Cook* |
F |
So. |
LeTourneau |
Prosper, Texas |
| Malyn Martinson* |
D |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Cypress, Texas |
| Mercy Mummert* |
D |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Albuquerque, N.M. |
| Hannah Noel* |
F |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Crosby, Texas |
| Regan Noel* |
D |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Crosby, Texas |
| Jade Press* GK |
GK |
Sr. |
UT Dallas |
Lago Vista, Texas |
| Sarah Ramos* |
F |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Midland, Texas |
| Kaley Robison |
D |
Jr. |
UT Dallas |
Argyle, Texas |
| Lexi Templin* OF |
F |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
San Angelo, Texas |
| Kelsey White* D |
MF |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Keller, Texas |
2023 All-ASC Selection *
2023 ASC Defensive Player of the Year D
2023 ASC Midfielder of the Year MF
2023 ASC Goalkeeper of the Year G
2023 ASC Offensive Freshman of the Year OF
Wilson is the official soccer ball of American Southwest Conference and used by all 6 members throughout the season and during the ASC tournament.