Arkansas soccer ranked 8th in preseason poll

Arkansas forward Anna Podojil (16) leads the ball, Sunday, August 8, 2021 during a soccer scrimmage at Razorback Field in Fayetteville. Check out nwaonline.com/210809Daily/ for today's photo gallery. .(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas soccer team was voted No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll that was released Tuesday. 

The Razorbacks are the highest-ranked team from the Southeastern Conference, which had three other teams ranked in the top 25 — Tennessee (10), South Carolina (11) and Ole Miss (18).

Arkansas finished 19-4-1 last season and set a program record with 14 consecutive victories. The Razorbacks lost to Rutgers in a penalty shootout in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

All-America forward Anna Podojil returns for her senior season after leading the team in scoring with 16 goals despite missing three matches in 2021. She has averaged 32 points per season and is 21 points away from tying Parker Goins’ school record for career points (118).

With the departures of Goins, Taylor Malham and Kayla McKeon, Arkansas will have to rely on newcomers to replace the 38 goals and 26 assists they provided a year ago. The Razorbacks must also replace three-time All-SEC defender Haley VanFossen.

Following an exhibition match against Kansas on Aug. 10, Arkansas will travel to Saint Louis for its season opener against the Billikens on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.

The Razorbacks are scheduled to conclude their non-conference schedule with a trip to Provo, Utah, to take on No. 3 BYU on Sept. 8. They will be looking for their second win in two seasons against the Cougars after a 2-0 decision at home last season.