GREENVILLE, S.C. – A nine-win season, including an unbeaten Conference Carolinas regular season has led to the UNC Pembroke soccer team being slated second in the 2025 Conference Carolinas preseason poll released Monday afternoon.

The Black & Gold picked up two first-place votes and 199 points to slot in behind 2024 Conference Carolinas tournament champion Francis Marion, who received nine first-place votes and 206 points. Lees-McRae tallied 193 points and four first-place votes to land in third, with Belmont-Abbey right behind in fourth with 191 points. Young Harris earned 154 points to round out the top five.

The Braves return six starters and six other letter-winners from last year's squad that posted a 9-4-4 record, including an 8-0-4 mark inside conference play.

The Black & Gold will officially open the 2025 season on September 6 as they host 12th-ranked North Georgia. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at LREMC Stadium.