MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Below are the Southern States Athletic Conference Players to Watch for the 2025 women’s soccer season.
Each team selected one newcomer and one returner to feature. The regular season begins this weekend. The top eight teams will advance to the first round of the SSAC Championship at campus sites Oct. 30 – Nov. 1. The semifinals and finals will take place in Montgomery, Ala., Nov. 6 and 8.
Abraham Baldwin
Returner
Whitner Bobo
SR, CAM
-Three-year team captain.
-Leads the team in assists.
Newcomer
Anna Bottoms
FR, RW
-Lot of heart and talent to go with it.
-Going to be a big playmaker this year.
Blue Mountain Christian
Returner
Mariah Ambers
SR, DEF
-One of the hardest workers on the team.
-Leads her team by example and lifts up young players.
Newcomer
Krisslyn Boyles
FR, DEF
-I expect her to standout in the SSAC in her position.
-Very Athletics player and clean in her technique.
Brewton-Parker Christian
Returner
Angel Camacho
SO, GK, Columbia, S.C.
-All Freshman team member.
-Anchor for the Barons backend.
-Helps keep the Barons in games.
Newcomer
Lynnsey Luttrell
FR, DEF, Moultrie, Ga.
-Great defender and extremely high work rate.
-Comes in with an academic drive equal to her drive on the soccer field, with success (3.9 GPA).
-1st and 2nd team all-region in high school.
Dalton State
Returner
Lauren Wright
SR, DEF/MID, Chattanooga, Tenn.
-Senior leader
-2x SSAC All-Academic
-Great preseason camp
Newcomer
Maggie Rickerd
RS FR, GK, Chattanooga, Tenn.
-Replacing All-SSAC keeper Brooke Alvarez
-Coming off ACL injury
-Has looked fantastic in scrimmages
Faulkner
Returner
Cassie Jackson
JR, FWD, Pensacola, Fla.
-13 goal contributions (8 G, 5 A) in 17 matches last season.
-Set a new program record on 10/10/2024 against Abraham Baldwin with 5 assists, also scored three goals in the match.
-Taking captaincy alongside Kailee Cox for Colby Phillips's second season.
Newcomer
Yury Santaclara
JR, MID, Mobile, Ala.
-First four-year signee from Southern Union State.
-Three goals and an assist last season for the Bison.
-Coach Phillips describes her combination of tenacity and composure as a "bull in a China shop, if that bull were a collector of fine porcelain who was looking to add to his collection."
Life
Returner
Lilja Olafsdottir
SR, DEF
-Lilja returns for her final season as a leader and competitor on and off the field. Her ability within the game, her fight, and her drive tocarry the team on her back are important to team success. She will be central in helping us set the tone for the season and is looked up to by many of her teammates.
Newcomer
Helen Gutierrez
SR, MID, Furman University
-Helen comes to Life U after a successful career at the Division 1 level. She is an engine in the midfield and come to practice every day hungry to compete and train. She is a natural leader and will be a huge asset to our team this fall.
Mobile
Returner
Latifha Pascall,
SR, DEF, Marabella, Trinidad and Tobago
-Latifha was a rock in the backline for Mobile last year, starting 18 matches and logging 1420 minutes.
-She helps to control the tempo of the game through her ability to pass the ball and space the field.
Newcomer
Elke Fernandez
SR, FWD, Sevilla, Spain, Flagler College
-Elke returns to Mobile after spending the last three years away from the program.
-In her last season with Mobile back in 2021, Elke scored 5 goals and had 1 assist.
Point
Returner
Lisa Kelm
SR, GK
-Returns for her Senior Year after a stellar campaign in 2024.
-Kept the Skyhawks competitive in most matches and is considered a top keeper in the conference.
-Was the starting goalkeeper from NCAA D2 Clayton State before transferring to Point.
Newcomer
Hailey Hull
JR, FWD/MID
-Transfer from Pasadena City College in California.
-Had eight game-winning goals and ranks amongst the top scorers in PCC’s history.
-Had 17 goals and 5 assists in her two seasons at PCC.
Thomas
Returner
Ali Baca
SR, MID, Eustis, Fla.
-Returning for her 4th year as a part of the women's soccer program. A key returner for the Night Hawks as she led the team in minutes and tied as the leader for assists in 2024.
Newcomer
Mistie Fox-Barker
FR, DEF, England
-Fox-Barker earned the First Team Manager’s Player of the Year award along with the Young Player of the Year award while playing with the Stevenage FC Women's team.
UT Southern
Returner
Kamilia Tayebi
JR, DEF, Casablanca, Morocco
-Represented Morocco youth national team at World Cup.
-2x All American.
-SSAC DPOY.
Newcomer
Ebony Wright
SO, DEF, Doncaster, England
-Represented England youth national team.
-Played in English u21 Premier League for Leicester City.
William Carey
Returner
Ella Jefcoat
-Comes in with 2 years of experience playing in multiple positions. We are looking for her leadership to help teach the expectations to the new players and really solidify our defense.
Newcomer
Lauren Entremont
-Coming in as a freshman from Brandon HS. She has come in really fit and is working hard to get into the team. Lauren is another one that can play multiple positions and will play a heavy role with our team.