title image via Yamiak Tsega
Courtesy of XULA Athletics
Xavier University of Louisiana women’s soccer received its first-ever votes Wednesday in the NAIA coaches poll.
The second-year program is among “others receiving votes” in the preseason rankings with 14 points and tied with Taylor for 36th place.
The Gold Nuggets’ debut season of 2023 included a first-round victory at NAIA nationals and the Red River Athletic Conference regular-season championship. XULA was 13-6 overall and 11-2 in the RRAC.
XULA won 2-0 Sunday in an exhibition Sunday at NCAA Division I Southern University. The Gold Nuggets will open their regular season at 5 p.m. Sunday at NAIA No. 2 William Carey in Hattiesburg, Miss. That will be a doubleheader; the XULA men will play 20th-ranked William Carey at 7 p.m.
The Gold Nuggets’ first home game will kick off at 1 p.m. Aug. 27 against Georgia Gwinnett at Lafreniere Park in Metairie, La. Georgia Gwinnett also received votes in the coaches poll, as did RRAC members Texas A&M-Texarkana and LSU-Alexandria.
In the final NAIA poll of 2023, zero RRAC teams received votes.
Lafreniere Park is at 3000 Downs Blvd. and 8.6 miles west of the XULA campus. Vehicles on Interstate 10 can use exit 225 at Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Admission is free to XULA home games.
