Balata and Sebazco Named All-Preseason Selections; Women’s Soccer Ties for Third In Preseason Coaches Poll

IRVING, Texas (AAC/SMU) – Senior Wayny Balata and graduate senior Courtney Sebazco of the SMU women's soccer team were named to the 2022 American Athletic Conference All-Preseason team, league officials announced on Tuesday.

Balata, serving at midfield for the Mustangs, put together a career campaign in her junior season, finding the back of the net six times and adding two assists. Six goals on the season was a team-best, and the fifth-most in the league.

Sebazco proved to be a critical component of the Mustang offense last season, totaling four goals and four assists in 2021. The midfielder opened the fall with a two-goal performance in SMU's 2-0 shutout against eventual Southland Conference champion Northwestern State (8/22), and earned goals against Rice (9/12) and East Carolina (9/23).

Additionally, the conference also released its 2022 Preseason Coaches Poll, with SMU tied to finish third. The Mustangs received 48 points in the poll, behind first-place Memphis (62 points) and second-place South Florida (52 points). Memphis received six of nine first-place votes, with USF, UCF, and Houston each earning one apiece.

The No. 23 Mustangs open their 2022 season at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Washburne Stadium against Rice.

Preseason Coaches Poll

1	Memphis (6)	62
2	South Florida (1)	52
3	SMU	48
	UCF (1)	48
5	Cincinnati	33
	Houston (1)	33
7	Temple	20
8	East Carolina	19
9	Tulsa	10

Offensive Player of the Year
Saorla Miller, Sr., M/F, Memphis

Defensive Player of the Year
Ashley Barron, Sr., D, Cincinnati

Goalkeeper of the Year
Caroline DeLisle, R-Sr., UCF

Preseason All-Conference Team
Caroline DeLisle, R-Sr., GK, UCF
Darya Rajaee, Sr., D, UCF
Kristen Scott, Sr., F, UCF
Ashley Barron, Sr., D, Cincinnati*
Vanessa DiNardo, Gr., F, Cincinnati
Emma Clarke, Sr., D, Houston
Saorla Miller, Sr., M/F, Memphis
Grace Stordy, Jr., M/D, Memphis
Vivianne Bessette, Jr., D, South Florida*
Wayny Balata, Sr., M, SMU
Courtney Sebazco, Gr., M, SMU
Emily Kavanaugh, Sr., F, Temple

* denotes unanimous selection

Women's Soccer Opens 2022 Season Ranked 23rd In United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll

Schedule

Balata and Sebazco Named All-Preseason Selections; Women’s Soccer Ties for Third In Preseason Coaches Poll

Players Mentioned

Wayny Balata

Courtney Sebazco

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Balata and Sebazco Named All-Preseason Selections; Women’s Soccer Ties for Third In Preseason Coaches Poll

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Wayny Balata

Courtney Sebazco

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