American Athletic Conference Announces Soccer Watch List
The American Athletic Conference unveiled its preseason soccer watch list on Tuesday, spotlighting a trio of standout midfielders from East Carolina University.
Isabella Gutiérrez, Caitlen-Star Dolan Boodram and forward AJ Mayock earned spots on the list, with Gutiérrez and Dolan Boodram securing their second consecutive appearance while Mayock marks her inaugural inclusion.
Preseason Rankings and Expectations
The Pirates were slotted seventh in the conference’s preseason coaches’ poll, trailing only Memphis, which captured the top spot with ten first‑place votes, setting the stage for a competitive season.
Gutiérrez, a senior entering her final collegiate campaign, contributed three goals and four assists a year ago and capped the previous season with a striking winner in a 2‑1 road victory over UTSA on October 26.
Dolan Boodram, who paced the Pirates with five goals and five assists in 2025, added a brace against VCU on August 24 that helped East Carolina cruise to a 4‑0 win, underscoring her dual threat on the pitch.
Mayock, a freshman starter in 2025, logged 1,357 minutes across 18 appearances and broke through with her first career brace at UAB on October 12, a performance that earned her American Conference Honorable Mention.
Looking ahead, East Carolina will open the 2026 schedule with a two‑game road swing, beginning at Liberty on August 13 at 6 p.m., a matchup that could further cement the trio’s impact.