ROCK HILL, S.C. --- The Tusculum University women's lacrosse team was chosen to finish eighth in the 2024 South Atlantic Conference preseason coaches poll, the SAC office announced Thursday.

Three Pioneers received preseason All-Conference accolades -- senior midfielder Lucy Brewer, sophomore defender Celeste Raya and sophomore goalkeeper Emily White. They are among seven starters back from last year's team that finished 7-9 overall and tied for seventh in the SAC with a 4-6 record for head coach Jenna Agostino, who begins her third season with the Pioneers in 2024.

Brewer was a third-team All-SAC selection in 2023 after finishing second on the Pioneers in goals (37), points (43) and draw controls (69) while leading the team with 36 ground balls and 30 caused turnovers. The Williamstown, Australia native scored at least one goal in each of the Pioneers' final 15 games, and has 67 goals and 15 assists for 82 points in 32 career games at Tusculum, with 122 draw controls, 64 ground balls and 45 caused turnovers.

Raya started all 16 matches on defense as a freshman and tied for second on the team with 20 caused turnovers. The Apopka, Florida native also finished the season with 21 ground balls.

White stepped into the starting lineup with three matches remaining and won two of her three starts during her freshman season. The Roswell, Georgia native had a 10.13 goals against average and a .411 save percentage across 450 minutes of playing time spanning 14 appearances.

Defending conference champion Wingate snagged 11 first-place votes and took first place in the poll with 121 points, followed by Newberry with 109 points and Limestone in third with 100 points and the other first-place vote. UVA Wise was fourth with 89 points, trailed by Lincoln Memorial (74 points) in fifth and Lenoir-Rhyne (72 points) in sixth.

Anderson was seventh with 69 points in the poll, with Tusculum earning 54 points for its eighth-place status. Catawba took ninth with 37 points, followed by Mars Hill (34 points), Coker (19) and Emory & Henry (14) rounding out spots 10 through 12.

The Pioneers will host Shorter in their season opener on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Pioneer Field.

2024 SAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll

2024 SAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference

All-SAC First Team
A – Cassell Richardson, Newberry
A – Hannah Thomas, Lenoir-Rhyne
A – Kaitlyn Cavanaugh, Lenoir-Rhyne
A – Kaleigh Wilgeroth, Wingate
MF – Leah Knowles, Wingate
MF – Marissa Plumer, Newberry
MF – Reese Hjertaas, Limestone
MF – Alicia Cannon, Anderson
D – Bailey Stumpf, Limestone
D – Keira Crilly, Limestone
D – Katie Koroly, Wingate
D – Madalyn Messersmith, Newberry
GK – Megan Biase, Wingate

All-SAC Second Team
A – Ella Todd, Newberry
A – Joscelin Martin, Limestone
A – Abby Stoffelen, UVA Wise
A – Megan Davis, Limestone
MF – Emma Jobs, Newberry
MF – Lucy Brewer, Tusculum
MF – Chloe Christensen, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF – Caitlyn Schultz, UVA Wise
D – Delaney Duck, Lincoln Memorial
D – Krysta Churns, Wingate
D – Jackie Tiongco, Anderson
D – Toni Morgon, Mars Hill
GK – Kyleigh Eaton, Limestone

All-SAC Third Team
A – Nelida Watson, Wingate
A – Jolan Morey, Lenoir-Rhyne
A – Rylee Johnson, Limestone
A – Chandler Bell, Lincoln Memorial
MF – Sarah Dudick, Limestone
MF – Jaedyn Ryba, Lincoln Memorial
MF – Claire Fuchs, Wingate
MF – Ellie Campbell, Lenoir-Rhyne
D – Celeste Raya, Tusculum
D – Mary Kostus, Lincoln Memorial
D – Paige Volpone, UVA Wise
D – Taryn Moreno, UVA Wise
GK – Emily White, Tusculum