Aug. 16, 2017
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southeastern Conference unveiled its soccer coaches' preseason list Wednesday with five Auburn players selected as players to watch for the upcoming season.
Kristen Dodson, Bri Folds, Sarah Le Beau and Courtney Schell earned recognition on the annual preseason list.
Dodson, a senior, was an all-conference performer in 2016 after breaking the program's single-season record for points with 38. She found the back of the net 13 times last campaign, which stands as the second-highest goal total in the Auburn record books.
The Aurora, Ill. native also ranked in the top five nationally with 12 assists. Dodson has 24 assists to her tally entering her final season on the Plains.
Folds made a huge impact in her first collegiate season for the Tigers. The freshman started 22 matches and secured 19 points by way of five goals and nine assists. Her point total was the second-most in the SEC among freshmen.
The Lakeland, Fla. native was tabbed to the All-SEC Freshman Team and earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors once during the 2016 campaign.
Le Beau is set to start her third consecutive season between the posts for Auburn. The junior was an all-conference selection a year ago when she made 73 saves and racked up six shutouts in goal.
Hailing from Crystal Lake, Ill., Le Beau has boasted back-to-back top 10 seasons with the lowest goals against average in program history.
Schell, who enters her final season in the orange and blue, has guided the midfield group for three-plus years. The senior has logged over 5,000 minutes of game action through 69 matches played. She has 29 points through nine goals and 11 assists.
The St. Augustine, Fla. native has produced three match-winners, including the first win of 2016 at South Alabama in overtime.
The Tigers open the season on Friday when they play host to South Alabama. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex.