Four Bulldogs Named to Big South Conference Top Returners Watch List, Asheville Tabbed Seventh in Big South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll

FULL BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE TOP RETURNERS RELEASE

FULL BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL RELEASE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Four Bulldogs have been named to the Big South Conference's Top Returners to Watch List, while UNC Asheville Women's Soccer was tabbed seventh in the annual Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The Bulldogs are coming off their first Big South Conference tournament appearance since 2016.

Senior Nao Kawasaki was included among the forwards, while senior Azalea Mihailovich was listed amongst the midfielders. Senior Shae Hassig was named amongst the defenders, while senior Gracie Murray was named amongst the goalkeepers.

Kawasaki appeared in all 17 matches as a junior, making two starts. She tallied her one assist of the season at Furman (Sept. 5). She totaled 15 shots with 10 on target and played a season-high 61 minutes against Queens (N.C.) (Sept. 15).

Mihailovich appeared in 16 matches making 13 starts, tallying one goal and two assists for four points. She totaled 17 shots with nine on goal. Mihailovich scored her only goal of the season in the season opener at The Citadel (Aug. 15). She also tallied assists in the wins over VMI (Sept. 1) and Charleston Southern (Oct. 29) while playing a season-high 83 minutes at Furman (Sept. 5).

Hassig appeared in all 17 matches making 16 starts, totaling three shots with one on target. She totaled 1,173 minutes on the back line for Asheville, playing all 90 minutes seven times in 2024.

Defending Big South Conference champion USC Upstate topped the preseason poll with five first-place votes and 76 points, while runner-up High Point was picked second with 75 points and four first-place votes. Radford was slated third with 60 points, followed by Longwood with 48 points and Charleston Southern with 40 points. Presbyterian was picked sixth with 38 points, followed by Asheville with 33, Winthrop with 21 and Gardner-Webb with 14.

The Bulldogs open the 2025 regular season next Thursday (Aug. 14) at home against Miami (Fla.). Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. from Greenwood Field, with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.

About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank

First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Four Bulldogs Named to Big South Conference Top Returners Watch List, Asheville Tabbed Seventh in Big South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll

Players Mentioned

Shae Hassig

Nao Kawasaki

Azalea Mihailovich

Gracie Murray

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