By: Curtis Ford, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University women's soccer team is well represented in the 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) preseason honors, six student-athletes earning recognition by the conference on Friday morning.
The Tigers were also projected to finish third in the conference standings, as voted on by league head coach and Sports Information Directors.
GSU dominated three or the four superlative categories with Beatriz Kretteis being named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Adrianna Pratt being named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Karlyn Judge landing Preseason Midfielder of the Year.
Kretteis, Pratt and Judge were also tabbed to the All-SWAC First Team alongside senior forward Samantha Diaz.
Earning second team honors was Nia Harley and Aria Whitney.
Kretteis was one of the most dominant scorers in the SWAC last season, showcasing her playmaking and goal scoring. The London, England native ranked third in the SWAC in goals scored (9) and assists (6). Her 24 points was good for fourth in the conference while adding three game winning goals.
Pratt, a senior defender from Kansas City, Mo., worked her way onto the first-team after anchoring the fourth-best scoring defense in the conference overall. Against conference opponents, she led a defensive unit that allowed just three goals. Her efforts also helped GSU rack up a conference-high nine shutouts. She played a total of 1,615 minutes in 19 starts.
Judge, a sophomore midfielder from Pflugerville, Texas, was the lone GSU rookie to pick up first-team honors following the 2022 campaign. Judge scored a total of six goals and ranked third in the conference in game-winning goals with four. She started all 20 games for the Lady Tigers last season.
Diaz found a place on the first team after a season that saw her score five goals, ranking eighth in the SWAC. The forward from Ogden, Ore., saw action in all 20 games, registering 16 starts for the Lady Tigers.
Harley garnered second team recognition after a 2022 campaign that saw he register three goals, the fourth most on the team. She scored a season-high two goals in GSU's 8-0 win over PVAMU.
Aria Whitney rounded out the all-conference selections for the Tigers. Last season, the senior forward started 21 of 23 games, scoring two goals.
GSU opens its 2023 season at Murray State on Friday, August 18th. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Beatriz Kretteis, Grambling State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Adrianna Pratt, Grambling State
Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Karlyn Judge, Grambling State
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Jaidyn Christophe, Texas Southern
Preseason All-SWAC First Team
Defender: Ayanna Pinder, Jackson State
Defender: Adrianna Pratt, Grambling State
Defender: Rahael Aka-Ety, Mississippi Valley State
Forward: Beatriz Kretteis, Grambling State
Forward: Samantha Diaz, Grambling State
Forward: Kassandra Schoen, Alabama State
Midfielder: Sage Magruder, Jackson State
Midfielder: Karlyn Judge, Grambling State
Midfielder: Aniyah Clark , Southern
Midfielder: Elli Higashi, Alabama State
Goalkeeper: Sydney Bellamy, Southern
Preseason All-SWAC Second Team
Defender: Alyssa Taylor, Texas Southern
Defender: Marley Thompson, Jackson State
Defender: Katelyn Walerczyk, Alabama State
Forward: Iyanah Hicks, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Forward: Nia Harley, Grambling State
Forward: Kendyl Terrell, Jackson State
Midfielder: Brynn Walker, Jackson State
Midfielder: Victoria Pucci, Texas Southern
Midfielder: Chantae Blackwood, Jackson State
Midfielder: Aria Whitney, Grambling State
Goalkeeper: Jaidyn Christophe, Texas Southern
Predicted Order of Finish
- Jackson State- 137 (9)
- Southern- 105 (1)
- Grambling State- 99 (2)
- Alabama State- 95
- Texas Southern- 87
- Alabama A&M- 79
- Prairie View A&M- 71
- Alcorn State- 67 (2)
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 51
- Mississippi Valley State- 34 (1)
*First place votes listed in parenthesis
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