AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Peach Belt Conference released the women's soccer preseason poll on Wednesday, Aug. 23. The Columbus State University women's soccer team is ranked first in poll capturing every available first-place vote for a maximum 81 point total.
Columbus State won their second straight PBC regular-season championship in 2022 and advanced to the NCAA final four. Six Cougars—
Lauren Barnes,
Emma Beddow,
Carley Canzoneri,
Lizzie Hedrick,
Sarah Hungerford, and
Faith Knoedler—were named to the preseason All-Conference team.
Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
Columbus State (9) |
81 |
| 2. |
Flagler |
72 |
| 3. |
North Georgia |
65 |
| 4. |
Lander |
54 |
| 5. |
Georgia College & State University |
51 |
| 6. |
Clayton State |
37 |
| 7. |
USC Beaufort |
32 |
| 8. |
USC Aiken |
28 |
| 9. |
Georgia Southwestern |
21 |
| 10. |
Albany State |
9 |
Preseason All-Conference Team
Lauren Barnes, Columbus State (Jr., F, Clayton, Ga.)
- NCAA Championship All-Tournament team and PBC All-Tournament team
- Scored six goals with seven assists and was tied for third in the PBC in assists
- Had two game-winning goals including against Lenior-Rhyne in the second round of the NCAA Tournament
Emma Beddow, Columbus State (Jr., F, Savannah, Ga.)
- A United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA All-American in 2022
- Tied for second in the PBC with 19 goals on the season to go with a league-leading nine assist; was also second in the league in points
- Ranked ninth in NCAA Division II in goals per game
Carley Canzoneri, Columbus State (Grad., D, Suwanee, Ga.)
- 2022 United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA All-American; PBC Defensive Player of the Year
- Won the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Elite 90 Award
- Anchored a defense that led the PBC in shutouts (11) and goals allowed average (0.44)
Lizzie Hedrick, Columbus State (Grad., GK, Columbus, Ga.)
- PBC First-Team All-Conference goalkeeper
- Led the PBC with a 0.55 goals against average and .883 saves percentage, allowing only seven goals in over 1100 minutes
- Has a 0.63 career goals against average which is currently fourth in PBC history
Sarah Hungerford, Columbus State (So., F, Richmond Hill, Ga.)
- A first-team All-Conference selection in 2022, also named to the PBC All-Tournament team
- Tied for eighth in the PBC in goals and added three assists
- Scored a hat trick against Clayton State and also scored the game-winner in CSU's 4-3 win over West Florida in the NCAA national quarterfinals
Faith Knoedler, Columbus State (Sr., F, Columbus, Ga.)
- Named to the 2022 PBC All-Tournament team
- Ranked third on the team and tied for sixth in the PBC with 10 goals on the season
- Added two assists and was ranked 10th in the conference in points
