Western Carolina's senior defender Mary Mueth has earned her second consecutive preseason All-Southern Conference honor as the Catamounts are ranked fourth in the SoCon preseason coaches' poll. This marks the fourth consecutive year Western Carolina has received preseason accolades, following their strong performance with three podium finishes in the last five years. Mueth, a pivotal player for the Catamounts, has logged over 1,800 minutes in back-to-back seasons. The team starts its 2026 campaign with a match against Winthrop on August 13.

By the Numbers
  • Western Carolina secured 68 points in the preseason poll, just ahead of Chattanooga (67) and Mercer (66).
  • Mary Mueth has played over 1,800 minutes in each of the last two seasons, contributing to a defense allowing 9.9 shots per game.
State of Play
  • WCU has been placed in the upper half of the SoCon standings for four consecutive years.
  • Samford was the unanimous first-place pick with 100 points and 10 of 11 first-place votes.
What's Next

The Catamounts kick off their season on August 13 against Winthrop and will follow with matches against UNC Wilmington and Appalachian State, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

Bottom Line

With consistent preseason recognition and a strong returning lineup, Western Carolina aims to leverage its solid defensive record and Mueth鈥檚 leadership to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.