Flores Headlines Sun Belt Preseason Awards; Dukes Picked Second in Preseason Coaches Poll

NEW ORLEANS – James Madison women's soccer was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference Coaches Poll, while junior Soleil Flores earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors and was one of three Dukes selected to the preseason team, the league announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Joining Flores, who was selected as a defender, on the preseason team are midfielder Lexi Vanderlinden and forward Amanda Attanasi.

Old Dominion was voted as the preseason favorite by the 14 head coaches, receiving seven first-place votes for a total of 181 points. The Dukes received three first-place votes, earning 177 points. App State, Georgia State, Marshall and South Alabama received the remaining first-place votes, each getting one apiece. Rounding out the top five behind the Dukes was ULM with 138 points and Georgia Southern and Georgia State tied at 134 points each.

Flores returns to the backline after playing in and starting 17 matches a season ago. The junior recorded an assist against Santa Clara, while anchoring a backline that recorded 11 shutouts. The defense ranked second in program history in lowest goals-against average (0.85) and tied for second in fewest goals allowed (19).

As a redshirt junior, Vanderlinden was a key part of JMU's attack in 2023. Playing in 21 matches with 20 starts, she registered one goal and two assists for four points. The Seminole, Fla. native currently ranks tied for 20th in program history for career assists with a total of 15.

JMU's returning leading scorer from last season, Attanasi played in 21 matches with 18 starts. She totaled six goals and three assists for the season. Attanasi sported a stretch of tallying a point in five out of six matches, recording back-to-back goals to begin league play. She ranks tied for 20th in career goals with 18 and adds 10 assists to rank tied for 24th in career points with 46.
The Dukes begin the season on Thursday, Aug. 15 as they travel to Villanova for a 4 p.m. kickoff.

2024 Sun Belt Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Awards

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:
Aaliyah Faddoul, Georgia State

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
Soleil Flores, James Madison

Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
F – Amanda Attanasi, James Madison
F – Bri Conley, Georgia Southern
F – Aaliyah Faddoul, Georgia State
F – Monique Gray, South Alabama
F – Izzi Wood, App State
M – Irene Campo, South Alabama
M – Cathey Smith, Georgia Southern
M – Lexi Vanderlinden, James Madison
D – Soleil Flores, James Madison
D – Amber Fortenberry, South Alabama
D – Ashlynn Kulha, Old Dominion
GK – Emily Bredek, Old Dominion
Ties were not broken.

2024 Sun Belt Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Old Dominion (7) – 181
2. James Madison (3) – 177
3. ULM – 138
T4. Georgia Southern – 134
T4. Georgia State (1) – 134
T6. App State (1) – 126
T6. South Alabama (1) – 126
8. Texas State – 118
9. Louisiana – 74
T10. Arkansas State – 57
T10. Southern Miss – 57
12. Coastal Carolina – 55
13. Marshall (1) – 48
14. Troy – 45
Parentheses indicate first-place vote

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