BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The countdown to the 2026 season is underway as the Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced the 2026 Preseason All-SWAC Soccer Teams and individual award winners, voted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.
Alabama A&M Forward, Czaske Deane was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Grambling State Defender, Kaylen Jankans was crowned the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Alcorn State Midfielder, Annick Zouma was named the Preseason Midfielder of the Year and Jackson State Goalkeeper, Taylor Osborn, earns Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Czaske Deane, Alabama A&M
The Junior from Ajax, Ontario, Canada appeared in 19 matches, while starting in 16 during the 2025 season. Deane led the SWAC in shots (44), game winning goals (6), along with being ranked second in goals (11) and Points (23). Through 1,114 minutes, Deane led Alabama A&M with a .523 shot on goal percentage and her impact helped push the Lady Bulldogs to a 5-2-1 record in SWAC play. Coming into the season following ending the season in the semi-final round during the 2025 SWAC Women’s Soccer Championships, Czaske returns to Alabama A&M as the 2026 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kaylen Jankans, Grambling State
The Senior from Orange County, California appeared and started in 22 matches for the Lady Tigers, logging 2,003 minutes while adding three assists, three points and six shots. Jankans anchored the defensive unit for Grambling as the Lady Tigers were undefeated in SWAC Play and ultimately aided Grambling to win the 2025 SWAC Women’s Soccer Tournament along with making an appearance in the opening round. Jankans returns with much experience in her collegiate career with the reigning SWAC Women’s Soccer Champions as the 2026 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Annick Zouma, Alcorn State
The Sophomore from Yaounde, Cameroon appeared and started in 16 matches for the Lady Braves, leading with nine assists and adding five goals for a team high of 19 points during the 2025 season. Zouma’s impact helped the Lady Braves earn the #6 seed in the 2025 SWAC Women’s Soccer Championships, adding two assists in the opening round match against #3 seeded Texas Southern where the Lady Braves added their first program win over the Lady Tigers. As Annick Zouma returns for her sophomore season, she begins the year as the 2026 Preseason Midfielder of the Year.
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year: Taylor Osborn, Jackson State
The Sophomore from Port St. Lucie, Florida appeared in 14 matches, while starting in 13 leading the SWAC with an .860 save percentage, eight shutouts, and aided Jackson State being ranked top-25 in the NCAA with a .526 shutout percentage. Osborn helped the Lady Tigers earn the #2 seed going into the 2025 SWAC Women’s Soccer Championships and through the first two matches, did not allow a goal. Heading into the 2026 season, Taylor Osborn earns the 2026 Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
A full listing of the preseason selections can be found below.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Czaske Deane, Alabama A&M
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Kaylen Jankans, Grambling State
Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Annick Zouma, Alcorn State
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Taylor Osborn, Jackson State
Preseason All-SWAC First Team
Defender: Kaylen Jankans, Grambling State
Defender: Emely Reyes, Prairie View A&M
Defender: Larissa Joso Luma, Alcorn State
Forward: Czaske Deane, Alabama A&M
Forward: Niasia Goodwin, Prairie View A&M
Forward: Kamara Bradley, Texas Southern
Midfielder: Annick Zouma, Alcorn State
Midfielder: Ryanne Hawthorn-Harper, Jackson State
Midfielder: Brea Bailey, Alabama A&M
Midfielder: Sarah Portis, Jackson State
Goalkeeper: Taylor Osborn, Jackson State
Preseason All-SWAC Second Team
Defender: Anita Frederick-Sigaran, Alabama A&M
Defender: Kianah Farmer, Jackson State
Defender: Kaia Butler, Texas Southern
Forward: J’Lea Berry, Southern
Forward: Serenity Safeeullah, Alabama State
Forward: Nyla Dore-Anderson, Grambling State
Midfielder: Olivia Kowall, Grambling State
Midfielder: Ainara Aldeano, Alcorn State
Midfielder: Malayah Nuestro, Jackson State
Midfielder: Albany Rios, Alabama A&M
Goalkeeper: Nenah Jackson, Prairie View A&M
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at
www.swac.org.