CORRECTION: This article was corrected on Sept. 14 at 12:05 p.m. CDT. It previously stated that Kayla Keefer, an Ole Miss forward, was a player on Mississippi State.
With the Division I women’s soccer season underway and conference play right around the corner, each SEC team’s outlook is starting to get fleshed out. A few teams, like Auburn and Kentucky, have had perfect starts to the 2024 campaign. Others, such as Florida and Missouri, have been less than stellar and will look to turn their seasons around as they look toward the fall. With that said, here is The Hustler’s first-ever edition of SEC soccer power rankings.
1. Arkansas (5-0-1)
Arkansas — the SEC championship runner-up from a year ago — is off to a flying start. Averaging a whopping 5.8 goals per game, the Razorbacks have practically run through all of their competition thus far. Despite its only premier matchup coming on the road against No. 5 Michigan State, a game that ended in a 2-2 draw, Arkansas’ firepower can’t be overlooked. The Razorbacks’ attack is well-rounded, as 16 different players have logged a goal so far. Still, the Razorbacks have leaned on graduate forwards Kate Doyle and Ava Tankersley, who lead the team in scoring with 12 goals and 8 assists combined. If this unbelievable offensive efficiency continues, there’s no doubt that Arkansas will contend for the SEC title again.
2. Auburn (7-0-0)
After going 8-7-5 in 2023, Auburn shot out to a dominant, unblemished 7-0-0 record and a current No. 6 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Women’s Top 25 Poll. A 4-0 rout of then No. 5 Clemson to open its 2024 campaign was an early indicator of Auburn’s upward trajectory. The Tigers defeated their next six opponents by a combined score of 24-0, with their most recent victory coming over No. 20 Ohio State. Sophomore forward Olivia Woodson has emerged as a star for Auburn after starting just five matches last year. Through seven appearances, Woodson has recorded six goals and an assist. Even though the Tigers still trail Arkansas — the same team that knocked them out of the 2023 SEC Tournament — they look ready to close the gap.
3. Texas (6-0-1)
The Longhorns are already turning heads in the SEC after closing the book on their Big 12 story last year. Texas remains undefeated and has appeared as the better team in all of its matches, relying on a strong backline to propel it to victory. The Longhorns have shut out their opponent in five of seven contests — a big reason why they are in the top three of these rankings. Senior midfielder Lexi Missimo has tallied six goals and three assists thus far to spark the Longhorn offense. Her teammate and fellow senior Trinity Byard has been the team’s main target up front, leading the team in goals. The Longhorns will look to maintain their stellar all-around play as they take on Alabama in their first conference match next week.
4. Kentucky (7-0-0)
The Wildcats are arguably the best defensive team in the SEC, holding a perfect 7-0-0 record to begin the year. Kentucky has kept a clean sheet in five of its seven matches, including a statement 2-0 victory over a top 10 opponent in UCLA. Transfer goalkeeper Marz Josephson has only allowed one goal this year and has already collected two SEC Defensive Player of the Week awards. Although offensive production has been slow at times, if the Wildcats can stay strong on defense, they will look to make a statement in the SEC.
5. Alabama (6-2-0)
Alabama has had a strong start to the year, cementing itself as a contender in the SEC. Aside from a 3-0 loss to TCU back in August and a narrow 1-0 loss to a strong Michigan team, the Crimson Tide have been nearly perfect. Junior Gianna Paul has contributed six goals and an assist as the Tide’s top option up front. Redshirt junior Brooke Steere has been the team’s anchor in the back, leading the team in minutes while also posing as an offensive threat with one goal already. Alabama will head to Austin, Texas to face Texas and then return home to take on Tennessee as it begins its slate of SEC matches.
6. Oklahoma (5-1-0)
The Oklahoma Sooners have had a strong start to the year, but their schedule has not been as difficult as some of their SEC counterparts. Oklahoma failed its toughest test thus far when it fell to in-state rival Oklahoma State 1-0. The Sooners responded and have been perfect since that Aug. 22 loss. Oklahoma averages over 3.5 goals per game, with six players already recording multiple goals on the young season. If Oklahoma can maintain the same level of offensive production against SEC opponents, it will put itself in a good position to contend as the season progresses.
7. Vanderbilt (4-0-2)
The Commodores have been very impressive to open up their 2024 campaign. Vanderbilt has yet to be defeated, piling up four victories while only conceding one goal so far through six games of non conference play. The team has performed solid offensively but has yet to prove itself against tougher opponents, drawing 0-0 to both Kansas and Georgetown. Forwards Caroline Betts and Sydney Watts are tied for the team lead with three goals apiece, while goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko has maintained a stellar 0.917 save percentage. The Commodores will look to remain undefeated and step up to the challenge of their SEC opponents when they hit the road against Auburn next week.
8. Mississippi State (5-1-0)
After an adequate performance in the 2023 season, the Bulldogs kicked off the 2024 season with resilience on the pitch. Their defensive game has been solid, restricting opponents to fewer than nine shots per game. The team is slightly ahead on the offensive front, averaging 15 shots per game. With a strong start to the season and an aggressive mentality, the Bulldogs are on their way to making 2024 a great season.
9. LSU (4-1-1)
The Tigers have secured four victories this season despite a significant setback against Arizona State. Unlike many teams, LSU has not thrived behind home-field advantage, as its loss and draw both occurred in the Bayou. If Ida Hermannsdottir and Ava Galligan maintain their aggressive offensive play, LSU is well-positioned to continue dominating in attack. On the defensive side, the Tigers have been impressive, limiting their opponents to just 40 shots on goal across six games.
10. Texas A&M (4-2-0)
The Aggies have started the season strong, with their victories currently doubling their losses. In six games, they’ve accrued over 100 shots on goal while restricting their opponents to just above 50, showing a propensity to be effective on both ends of the field. However, despite their impressive volume of shots — 114 in total — they have netted just 14 goals, resulting in a less-than-ideal conversion rate. If adjustments to improve their scoring are made, the Aggies should finish the season strong.
11. Tennessee (4-1-2)
The Tennessee Volunteers have had smooth sailing since suffering a 1-0 defeat to the Indiana Hoosiers on opening night back in August. Tennessee’s offense has been non-existent at times, as it averaged just 1.8 goals per game through the early part of the season. Sophomore forward Kameron Simmonds has been the team’s spark on the offensive side of the ball, already contributing eight goals and three assists. Tennessee has its toughest test of the season this week as it will take on the fifth-ranked Memphis Tigers. If they are up to that challenge, Tennessee will enter SEC play with a boatload of confidence.
12. South Carolina (2-0-3)
South Carolina is experiencing a rough start to the 2024 season, with more losses than wins this far. In all five of its games, the difference between victory and defeat has been just a single goal. If the Gamecocks could increase their average shots on goal — currently at a measly two per game — their season could take a turn for the better. Additionally, the depth of skill on the roster appears limited, with only five players contributing significantly on the offensive end. This lack of reliable options would pose a challenge for any Division I team, but it is especially highlighted in the SEC. Addressing these issues could be crucial for turning their season around.
13. Ole Miss (4-3-0)
The Rebels have had a very up-and-down start to their campaign. They have faced arguably the most difficult non conference schedule, facing two top 10 opponents in Michigan and Memphis, and their record has suffered because of it. However, Ole Miss has since bounced back nicely and built up momentum ahead of conference play. The Rebels have been strong defensively, holding their opponents to just 0.71 goals per game. If it can maintain that same level of defensive fortitude and make some changes offensively, Ole Miss should have a chance to string together some victories.
14. Georgia (2-2-2)
The Georgia Bulldogs have had a rather lackluster season so far, showing little notability on either offense or defense. Their statistics between shots on goal and allowed shots on goal differ by just a single shot (14.5 and 15.7 respectively). Landing more shots on goal might help convert Georgia’s draws into victories. The team’s limited offensive depth — relying heavily on just three key players in Margie Detrizio, Summer Denigan and Hannah White — could be contributing to its struggle to secure more wins. The Bulldogs will have to address these areas to start winning more games.
15. Missouri (2-3-1)
Missouri has suffered from a considerably difficult non conference schedule. After easing through Missouri State with a 2-0 win, the Tigers lost three out of their next four, with losses against No. 7 Memphis and No. 23 Saint Louis. The Tigers also suffered a loss to a Miami program that struggled immensely last year. A 5-0 win against Southeast Missouri State was the first truly positive sign for Missouri since the season opener. Things won’t get any easier for the Tigers when they travel to Durham, N.C. to play Duke in their next match. Missouri has struggled to convert quality chances while simultaneously giving up an alarming 52% shot on goal percentage to its opposition. As is often the case on the pitch, a sputtering offense with an inconsistent defense isn’t a great formula for success.
16. Florida (2-1-3)
At the moment, the Gators are struggling. While Florida’s first game of the season resulted in a 1-0 victory over Western Carolina, it has gone through a streak of inconsistent results, most recently falling 3-0 at the hands of No. 3 Florida State. Florida hasn’t shown any ability to finish games against lesser competition, and this could prove troublesome against future conference opponents. Similar to Missouri, the Gators’ biggest issue lies with converting chances. Florida has outshot its opponents 78-42 through six games, but has only scored seven goals. If Florida wants to right the ship, the forward line needs to start converting chances into goals.
