BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A trio of Auburn University at Montgomery women's soccer players were recognized among a list of top newcomers in the Gulf South Conference as announced by the league on Wednesday, Aug. 10.

Forward Lauren Akemon posted 35 points in 18 games started at Reinhardt University last season before joining the Warhawks. Akemon, a Rome, Ga. native, scored 13 goals and tallied nine assists for the Eagles. 

Midfielder Roser Badia joins AUM after being named an NJCAA All-Academic team member. Badia, who transfers from Iowa Western Community College, started 29 games in two seasons for the Reivers.

Midfielder Emma Webster comes to Montgomery from Henderson, Tenn., after a standout career at Goodpasture Christian High School. 

The Lee (Tenn.) University Lady Flames garnered eight first-place votes and were picked to finish at the top of the table. The University of West Florida, Mississippi College, Valdosta State University, and Delta State University rounded out the top five projected finishers. 

The University of West Georgia was picked to finish sixth, the University of West Alabama seventh, and the University of Montevallo was picked to finish eighth.

Christian Brothers University was picked ninth and the University of Alabama in Huntsville rounded out the top 10. Auburn University at Montgomery (11th), Union (Tenn) University (12th), Spring Hill College (13th), and Shorter University (14th) rounded out the 2022 coaches poll.

A five-game road swing opens up the slate for AUM, with games against Sunshine State Conference foes Lynn University, on Aug. 25, and nationally ranked Florida Tech (No. 18), on Aug. 28. The Warhawks return from Florida and face three other tough road tests, as the team visits Georgia College on Sept. 3, Mississippi College on Sept. 9, and Delta State on Sept. 11.

AUM debuts at home at the AUM Soccer Complex on Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. against Union (Tenn.) University before hosting Christian Brothers University on Sept. 18. A third straight home game against Albany State University on Sept. 21 follows.

A road-heavy schedule continues for the Warhawks in late September, as AUM makes trips to the University of Montevallo (Sept. 25), the University of West Florida (Sept. 30), and Spring Hill College (Oct. 2). 

The second and third weekends of October see the Warhawks return home to take on the University of West Alabama on Oct. 7, the University of Alabama in Huntsville on Oct. 9, Shorter University (Oct. 14), and Lee (Tenn.) University on Oct. 16. 

The Warhawks close out the season with a trip to the University of West Georgia on Oct. 20 and Valdosta State University on Oct. 23 ahead of the opening round of the Gulf South Conference tournament on Oct. 30.