HBCU Athletic Conference ushers in Next Generation of Women's Soccer with Preseason All-HBCUAC Team, Rankings
NEW ORLEANS - August 26, 2025 - For the first time in 16 years, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference is sponsoring women's soccer. It kicks off the 2025 season with the reveal of the Preseason All-HBCUAC Team and Preseason Rankings.
The conference last sponsored soccer in 2009. Oakwood University, Talladega College, Tougaloo College and Wiley University competed in the Continental Athletic Conference last season, which features independent institutions. Huston-Tillotson University and Paul Quinn College joined the HBCUAC in July after previously being members of the Red River Athletic Conference. 
The conference's head women's soccer coaches nominated and voted. Points were derived by the order they ranked the athlete. Talladega College forward Annalisa Vincent emerged as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year with four of six votes. She scored 11 goals and provided three assists - earning All-CAC First Team. Huston-Tillotson University's Juliet Morales-Martinez garnered Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year with five of six votes. She was in net for 14 of 15 matches and won three. Morales-Martinez was named to the RRAC All-Freshman Team. The rest of the team is below:
Reba Stott, Talladega, Defender: Earned All-CAC Second Team; led the Tornadoes in minutes
Alicia Gonzales, Huston-Tillotson, Defender: Leader on the Rams' defense
Yajaira Hernandez, Wiley, Defender: Led the team in shots and shots on goal, second in scoring
Gabrielle Bryan, Talladega, Defender: A vocal leader on the Tornadoes' defense
Cycoiah Whatley, Talladega, Forward: Scored seven goals; second on the team with 15 points
Samantha Rodriguez, Wiley, Forward: One of the team captains, scored two goals
Alondra Quiroz, Huston-Tillotson, Forward: Finished third on the team with three goals
Neydelyn Bonilla, Huston-Tillotson, Midfielder: Led the Rams with three assists
Faith Alexander, Talladega, Midfielder: Took five shots and put two on goal
Izabella Olivio, Huston-Tillotson, Midfielder: Scored two goals and two assists off the bench
The head coaches also voted on the team rankings with points derived based on the order they ranked each team. Talladega College emerged as the clear favorite to capture the HBCUAC title with 36 points and taking all six first-place votes. Huston-Tillotson and Wiley tied for the second. The full rankings are below:
1. Talladega 36 (6)
2. Wiley 27
2. Huston-Tillotson 27
4. Tougaloo 17
5. Paul Quinn 12
6. Oakwood 7
Fans can catch the action of the 2025 season on the Urban Edge Network and hbcuac.org. The season will culminate with the 2025 HBCUAC Men's and Women's Soccer Championship held November 4 through 7 at Lee Hedges Stadium in Shreveport, La.
About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.