FRISCO, Texas - As the 2024 soccer season approaches its launch point, the Southland Conference released its preseason polls and all-conference players Friday morning. Lamar University's soccer team was picked to finish first in the poll and has five all-conference honorees.
 
The Cardinals, coming off of their second consecutive SLC regular season and tournament titles, received 20 of the 22 first place votes (200 points). Big Red finished 23 points higher than second place Texas A&M-Commerce, who received the other two first place votes. Last season's conference tournament runner-up, McNeese, placed third with 147 points while Northwestern State (130) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (112) rounded out the top five.
 
Arely Alaniz, Alana Clark, Trinity Clark, and Isela Ramirez were tabbed as first-team recipients. Alaniz notched her second straight conference Defender of the Year honor after compiling 1,736 minutes in all 21 games played. She scored twice during the season including one in the conference tournament championship game, for which she was named the tournament MVP. Helping LU to a program-best 11 shutouts on defense, the Deer Park native also had an assist in three games, including on the game-winning goal in LU's upset 1-0 win over #17 Xavier last season.
 
Hailing from Austin, Alana Clark was named the conference's Midfielder of the Year after putting up 1,779 minutes and scored twice during the season while dishing out an assist. Her twin sister Trinity Clark was tabbed as all-conference second team last year and earned a spot on the all-tournament team after scoring the game-winning goal in the conference title game. Trinity Clark had two goals and three assists while playing 1,805 minutes.
 
Ramirez poured in six goals on 24 shots with 14 on goal and also dished out two assists in 2023. The Plugerville resident had a pair of game-winners against Southeastern Louisiana and UIW while receiving first team all-conference honors.
 
Caragan Childs was named to the preseason second team. In 1835 minutes, the Sumrall, Miss., native helped anchor LU's defense to 11 shutouts and also assisted on a goal against Southern. She earned a spot on the 2023 SLC second team for her performance.

The Cardinals will open their season with a home match against nationally-ranked Texas A&M. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

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