Women's Soccer | August 20, 2026
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Peach Belt Conference (PBC) unveiled its Preseason Women's Soccer coaches' poll and preseason all-conference on Thursday morning. The Clayton State University women's soccer team was picked to finish ninth in the conference.
Last season, the Lakers finished eighth in the league earning its seventh straight berth to the PBC Tournament. Columbus State was picked by the coaches to sit on top of the PBC table followed by North Georgia and Lander. Georgia College and Flagler round out the top five in the conference.
The Lakers did not receive any preseason all-conference selections, but North Georgia led the conference with four while Columbus State comes in with three. USCA, Flagler, Georgia College, and Lander each saw one selection.
The Lakers are led by returners
Aniyah Vargas and
Karley Perry on the offensive side of the ball and
Claire Smith and
Rubie Kelley behind the posts. Vargas and Perry scored a combined five goals and assisted on four goals. Both Vargas and Perry led the team with 24 shots. Smith and Kelley split time in goal for the Lakers last season. Coach Clarke is going to look to these four players to lead a group that consists of 17 newcomers from three states and five countries.
Below is the full Preseason Coaches' Poll as voted on by the coaches:
| School |
Votes (First Place) |
| Columbus State |
73 (3) |
| North Georgia |
71 (6) |
| Lander |
66 |
| Georgia College |
57 (1) |
| Flagler |
53 |
| USCB |
39 |
| USCA |
36 |
| Georgia Southwestern |
24 |
| Clayton State |
18 |
| Middle Georgia |
13 |
Below is the list of the Preseason All-Conference selections
| Player |
School |
| Kelsey Croft |
Columbus State |
| Payton Conti |
Columbus State |
| Mia Robinson |
Columbus State |
| Avery Raimondo |
Flagler |
| Kaisa Fagerstrom |
Georgia College |
| Leah Hayes Coen |
Lander |
| Grace McGill |
North Georgia |
| Blanca Cruz |
North Georgia |
| Nina Lopez |
North Georgia |
| Chloe Diaz |
North Georgia |
| Greta Ohlwein |
USCA |
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers open its 2026 Regular Season at home hosting Emmanuel University (Ga.) at Laker Field on Sunday, August 30
th at 3 p.m. The first 50 fans receive a free schedule poster! Please visit claytonstatesports.com for more information and for all things Laker women's soccer.
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics, "South Atlanta's College Team" on
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Facebook.
