NEW ORLEANS – Eight Sun Belt Conference women’s soccer players received preseason recognition by United Soccer Coaches on its MAC Hermann Trophy Players to Watch lists ahead of the 2026 campaign.
 
South Alabama led the Sun Belt with four honorees and is the only NCAA Division I team with at least one player listed on each of the four positional lists. The quartet includes reigning and Preseason Sun Belt Goalkeeper of the Year Sierra Giorgio, Preseason All-Sun Belt selection and defender Amelia Campanella, midfielder Andrea Iljkic and forward Aliya Gomes.
 
Old Dominion secured a pair of honorees on its back line with Preseason All-Sun Belt picks Libby Holmes and Ashlynn Kulha. Kulha is also a two-time reigning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Additional Sun Belt selections include Preseason Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year and James Madison forward Ginny Lackey as well as Preseason All-Sun Belt forward Aaliyah Faddoul.
 
The 2026 regular season kicked off Wednesday, August 12 with the start of non-conference matches.
 
The lists are compiled and released by the Division I All-America Committees to promote college soccer leading up to the official start date for the regular season later this month. The lists include United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and All-Region players from 2025 who are scheduled to return for the 2026 season. For the United Soccer Coaches’ full release with all Watch List honorees, visit here.
 
2026 United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch (Sun Belt):
 
Goalkeeper
Sierra Giorgio, South Alabama
 
Defenders
Amelia Campanella, South Alabama
Libby Holmes, Old Dominion
Ashlynn Kulha, Old Dominion
 
Midfielders
Andrea Iljkic, South Alabama
 
Forwards
Aaliyah Faddoul, Georgia State
Aliya Gomes, South Alabama
Ginny Lackey, James Madison