The University of Pikeville women's soccer team has been projected to finish sixth in the Appalachian Athletics Conference (AAC), mirroring last year's outcome. Truett McConnell (Ga.) is favored to defend its championship with 11 of 13 first-place votes. Under Coach Shane Taylor, the Bears went 7-4-2 in the AAC last season and 9-7-3 overall, while returning all but two goal scorers from a squad that netted 49 goals. Senior Jayla Boyd and Charlene Lofqvist are standout players, both returning with strong statistics from the previous season. The Bears will kick off their season on August 26 against Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio).

By the Numbers
  • Pikeville scored 49 goals last season, with 15 coming from senior Jayla Boyd.
  • The Bears had a 7-4-2 record in the AAC last season, securing sixth place.
State of Play
  • Truett McConnell leads the AAC preseason poll with 180 points.
  • Pikeville is only 4 points behind fifth-placed Reinhardt with 124 points.
What's Next

The Bears' first game is against Mount Vernon Nazarene on August 26, followed by their home opener against WVU Tech on August 29. Continued improvement in performance may lead to a better ranking in the coming season.

Bottom Line

With a strong returning roster and key contributors like Boyd and Lofqvist, the University of Pikeville women's soccer team has potential to exceed expectations in the upcoming season, despite being placed sixth in the pre-season poll.