The Southeastern Lady Lions look to defend their Southland Conference championship this fall as they strive to reach the NCAA playoffs for the second consecutive year. 

With players Casey Peacock and Kayla Vera returning to the pitch and Hope Sabadash remaining in her spot in goal, Southeastern is poised to have another successful season under head coach Blake Hornbuckle.

Last season, the Lady Lions came out of the gate strong. They won eight of their first 10 matches, which  included Southland Conference foes McNeese, Incarnate Word and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The squad out of Hammond would go on to drop only two matches to Southland opponents, accumulating an 8-2-2 record in conference. Southeastern’s magical run through the Southland did not end with the regular season. The conference tournament allowed the Lady Lions to top off their campaign in epic fashion with a penalty kick shootout to win the tournament and Southland Championship. 

Sabadash, the reigning Southeastern Athlete of the Year, posted nine shutouts while keeping her goals against average to only 0.67. Stats like these earned Sabadash  accolade after accolade. Southland Freshman of the Year, selected All-Southland Conference and named the Southland Conference Tournament MVP are just some of the awards Sabadash acquired in her first year at Southeastern. Hornbuckle is optimistic about the returning goalkeeper this fall and believes her best has yet to be seen.

“Hope’s return will be very beneficial for us all. She has had another year to grow and mature, so that’ll only make her better,” said Hornbuckle. 

The Lady Lions’ defense frustrated and hounded every offense put on by opponents. An opposing average of less than a goal per game goes to testify the intensity of the back line. Hornbuckle believes the defense will be as stingy as they were last season.

“We returned all but one on the back line so we feel very confident about that,” said Hornbuckle. 

Stopping teams from reaching the back of the net was not the only solid aspect of the Lady Lions. Peacock, Vera and Brianna Singh were among the team leaders in goals scored last season and are all back for this fall. Hornbuckle was especially fond of his forward Peacock, who slotted in seven goals and notched six assists last fall. 

“We anticipate Peacock to use her athleticism and skills to have another great season,” said Hornbuckle. 

The Lady Lions kick off their season with a match against Jackson State University on Aug. 22. For more information and the full Lady Lions soccer schedule, visit lionsports.net.