The preseason rankings for the Peach Belt Conference are out, and GC was ranked fifth with 51 votes.
The Bobcats were a mere three votes shy of Lander for the No. 4 position. Teams that GC beat out in rankings include Clayton State University, the University of South Carolina Beaufort, the University of South Carolina Aiken and Albany State University.
Head coach Jack Marchant is returning for his second season with the Bobcats. He and the team hope to see improvement from last season.
“Jack did a great job recruiting new talented players,” said sophomore forward Sarah Mason.
The Bobcats finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 5-8-3. Their record for the Peach Belt Conference was 4-4-2.
While the preseason rankings have the Bobcats in the middle of the pack, two major players are returning. Both sophomore forward Ava Martin and sophomore forward Sarah Mason led the Bobcats in overall scoring last season and look to do the same again this year.
Freshman defender Mia Palumbo has high hopes for the upcoming season.
“I definitely think the team can improve this season from the last,” Palumbo said. “We have so many great players on this team, and it is very exciting to play with such talented girls every day.”
Palumbo has a certain game on the Bobcats’ schedule circled.
“I am definitely looking forward to the game against Flagler the most,” Palumbo said.
Mason also has high expectations for this year.
“We looked great in preseason, just harping on topics from the spring. Our team has really come together, and it is starting to show,” Mason said. “We can always improve from last season.”
She also thinks the Bobcats have some things they can improve on in order to have more success on the field.
“Starting off stronger from the beginning has been something we have lacked on quite a bit,” Mason said. “We can also improve in the final third of the game, finishing any opportunities that we do get.”
With these adjustments, Mason believes the team could make a real run at it in the PBC Tournament.
Mason’s counterpart up top is Martin. The two have great chemistry when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net.
Like Palumbo, Martin is also looking forward to the Flagler game.
“Last season we lost to them at home, and after the game, they stole our water jug and dumped it on their coaches in celebration,” Martin said. “I am very excited to get on their field this year and get even with them.”
The Bobcats started the regular season on the road at Auburn University at Montgomery on Sept. 2. After letting up an early goal, GC came back to win the game 2-1.
GC then played Newberry College on Sept. 6, winning 3-1 and improving their record to 2-0-0.
The Bobcats now look to take on Valdosta State University on Sept. 9. The team hopes to secure another win at home to improve to 3-0-0.
