The Chris McBride era in Lafayette is off to a good start.
The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns soccer program has placed two players on the Preseason All Sun-Belt squad this afternoon as Karleen Bedre and Rythny Mathurin were named to the team.
Louisiana was also picked to finish sixth in the SBC West in the first year under McBride. South Alabama from the west and Old Dominion in the east were selected as the preseason division leaders.
Bedre, who was selected to the second team a year ago, led the Cajuns in offense, scoring six goals and picking up five assists on 23 shots on goal. She also led the program in points (17) and game-winning goals (2). Bedre was also only one of two players to start all 19 matches last year as she was named to the All-Louisiana first team.
Bedre ranked in the top 10 in the conference in six categories last year, including shots (7th), points (t-7th), and assists (t-6th). She also finished near the top in shots per game, assists per game, and points per game.
Mathurin, who was placed on the 2021 SBC second team as a defender, started 16 games during her first college season with the Cajuns. She finished the campaign with eight points and four assists on eight shots on goal.
Mathurin had two goals in the contest against Georgia State last season and then helped the Cajuns to a 1-1 draw with Georgia Southern, scoring the team’s lone goal in that contest.
Chris McBride and the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns will kick off their 2022 season this week, as they welcome McNeese to the Home Bank Soccer/Track Facility with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.