CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University women's soccer team is set to begin its 20^th season of competition this Thursday (Sept. 5) against the Lakers of Clayton State, ushering in a historical era with Chloe Kane at the helm of the Lady Statesmen, the first female head coach in program history. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m., (CDT) from Delta Field.
 
Kane inherited a 4-12-2 team from the previous season, but she's optimistic entering her first season. "We have a great returning group of players whose commitment and love for this program is evident every day. The spring season was very positive, and with the addition of our 11 newcomers, I believe we have a well-rounded and talented group that will allow us to compete, challenge and push the standard this fall. "
 
The 2023 (4-12-2, 3-9-1 GSC) squad won four matches, defeating in-state Millsaps 7-0 and Gulf South Conference opponents Christian Brothers 1-0, West Georgia 1-0, and Shorter 5-0.
 
As a team, the Lady Statesmen scored 24 goals, while recording 195 shots with 86 shots on goal. The goalkeepers contributed 62 saves and four shutouts.
 
The Green-and-White were led by returner Ava Webster, a junior defender from Chesterfield, England, who recorded five goals, including two game-winners. Other top performers returning from last season are Millie Congerton, Avery Allison, Jae'lasha Julien, and Chloe Jackson.
 
Congerton, from Rickmansworth, England, scored four goals on 16 shots and 11 shots on goal. A 5-3 forward from Fort Worth, Texas, Allison scored three goals in matches against Millsaps, West Georgia, and Alabama Huntsville. Julien, a two-time GSC Freshman of the Week recipient in 2021, recorded three goals and an assist. Jackson played in all 18 matches with 16 starts as a midfielder/forward. The redshirt junior returns after scoring goals against Millsaps, Lee, and Shorter. Bailey Daugherty, a 5-9 goalkeeper from Arlington, Tenn., played all 18 matches in-goal, recording 58 saves, including a season-high 9 saves against Tampa and Montevallo.
 
Jackson expressed her excitement to showcase the hard work the team has put in during the off-season. "I am extremely excited to compete this Fall at the high level the GSC provides. We have a really strong, talented group this year in both returners and newcomers, and I can't wait for the opportunity to turn some heads."
 
Also returning this season after suffering injuries in 2023 are Hannah James and Robyn Moody, starters from 2022 who combined for over 2,300 minutes played.
 
The Lady Statesmen lost veteran midfielder Carra Hymel, who played her entire collegiate career at Delta State, to graduation. Poppy Derhun also represents a big loss to graduation, as she started in all 18 matches in 2023 and led the team in shots (29) with 10 of those being shots on goal. The Brighton, England native also scored three goals and recorded three assists. Three other players will not return from the previous season, bringing experience to the forefront of the 2024 team.