FRISCO, Texas – McNeese Soccer landed three Cowgirls on the All-SLC First Team while being predicted to finish third in the Southland Conference standings as announced by the league Friday morning.

Kaile Kukaua was the initial member named to the All-SLC first team after earning first team honors following the 2023 campaign. The senior midfielder netted seven goals after not having a career goal in the prior two years, one of 20 Division I returning players to earn multiple goals after not having a career goal prior.

Kukaua, a native of Valencia, California, had two assists she added to her name during the season, later earning SLC All-Tournament Team recognition after helping guide the Pokes to their first SLC Championship Match since 2008. She further garnered LSWA All-Louisiana and SLC All-Academic First Team recognition.

Fellow senior Jackie Kelly was elevated to the SLC All-Conference First Team after earning second team honors following her junior campaign as a goalkeeper. Kelly fought valiantly in the net last season, starting 17 matches while playing in 19 for a goals against average of 0.86 after earning 96 saves on the season. Kelly was an instrumental part of the Cowgirls squad, helping the team win its first-ever penalty shootout victory over Southeastern in the conference tournament. She posted five shutouts while being a part of two combined shutouts.
 
Kelly added numerous accolades to her shelf in 2023 including spots on the SLC All-Conference Second Team, SLC All-Academic Second Team, SLC All-Tournament Team, LSWA All-Louisiana Team, and CSC Academic All-District squad.
 
Morgan Schooley, a senior, rounded out the All-SLC First Team selections as a defender for the Cowgirls. She earned All-SLC Second-Team honors following 2023 before being elevated this season. She started all 21 matches for the Pokes on the SLC Championship match run while attempting 18 shots with seven on goal, netting two goals. She was further named to the SLC All-Tournament Team.
 
2024 Preseason Soccer Poll

1. Lamar – 200 (20)
2. Texas A&M-Commerce – 177 (2)
3. McNeese – 147
4. Northwestern State – 130
5. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi – 112
6. Southeastern – 105
7. SFA – 98
8. HCU – 81
9. UTRGV – 67
10. UIW – 63
11. Nicholls – 30  

2024 Preseason All-Conference Team
First Team
GK – Jackie Kelly, McNeese
D – Arely Alaniz, Lamar
D – Nya Mitchell, Texas A&M-Commerce
D – Morgan Schooley, McNeese
D – Mindy Shofit, Texas A&M-Commerce
MF – Alana Clark, Lamar
MF – Kaile Kukaua, McNeese
MF – Camila Montero, Texas A&M-Commerce
MF – Alexa Huerta, HCU
MF – Trinity Clark, Lamar
F – Isela Ramirez, Lamar
F – Hannah Bell, Texas A&M-Commerce
F – Kaydence Ramirez, Texas A&M-Commerce
F – Olivia Rossman, HCU
  
Second Team
GK – Erica Defferding, UIW 
D – Caragan Childs, Lamar
D – Jessica Spitzer, Northwestern State
D – Caroline Hilliard, Northwestern State
D – Emma Crump, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
MF – Melissa Storey, Texas A&M-Commerce
MF – Andre Lauren, Nicholls
MF – Rachel Loetzer, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
MF – Emily Senatore, Northwestern State
F – Sierra Wannamkaer, UIW
F – Taylor Spitzer, Northwestern State
F – Mya Mitchell, Texas A&M-Commerce
F – Emily Jaimes, HCU