The Big South Conference has announced the preseason players of the year, poll and player watchlist for the upcoming 2025 season which included four Highlanders.
Highlighting the preseason honors for Radford University was senior Lilly Short who was named the Preseason Midfielder of the Year. Short, coming off a career-season in 2024, will help lead the Highlanders offense this season. Through three seasons at Radford, Short has appeared in 58 matches and started in 49 scoring 16 goals and 10 assists. 10 of her 16 goals came last season with game-winners against William & Mary and High Point, leading the squad with a career-high 23 points.
Short was also named to the preseason player watchlist by the conference office, joined by Paige Olson (forward), Jillian Silverstone (defender) and Lexi Radvanyi (goalkeeper). The Big South’s preseason poll, voted on by the conference’s coaches, placed the Highlanders third with 60 total points, 12 ahead of fourth-place Longwood. Reigning tournament champions USC Upstate were voted preseason favorites with five first-place votes, with High Point also collecting four first-place votes.
The Highlanders are currently preparing to debut the 2025 season with their next exhibition scheduled for Aug. 10th at home against VMI with a 7 p.m. kickoff. After that, the season begins on the road for Radford when the program visits Charlotte on Aug. 17 with a 7 p.m. start.
2025 Big South preseason women’s soccer honors
Preseason Forward of the Year: Dara Russo, USC Upstate
Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Lilly Short, Radford
Preseason Defender of the Year: Catarina Dantas, USC Upstate
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year: Aubrey McKessy, High Point
Big South