BROWNWOOD, Texas – Howard Payne University women's soccer players Kendall Watkins, Landry Combs, and Abbie Wetzel were named to the American Southwest Conference Preseason Watchlist on Thursday, August 20.

Watkins returns from Rockwall, Texas, after being named to the All-Conference Second Team in 2025. The senior defender started in eight of her 13 matches for the Lady Jackets, scoring against at University of the Ozarks on August 29. Watkins added an assist on September 11 against Schreiner, logging a total of 829 minutes on the season.

Combs, out of Midlothian, Texas, leads the goalkeeping unit for her final season. The 2025 ASC Goalkeeper of the Year recorded 78 saves, including a season-high 13 against Hardin-Simmons to lead the Lady Jackets' first win over the Cowgirls in program history. The graduate student returns with more history in her sights, three wins shy of tying the program record of 17 and four shutouts shy of another record.

Wetzel scored one of her four career game-winning goals in the October 25 meeting against Hardin-Simmons, and she returns after being named First-Team All-Conference a season ago. The Royse City, Texas native scored four goals and one assist after starting in 11 of her 16 matches for the Lady Jackets.

Howard Payne placed fourth in the ASC Preseason Women's Soccer Poll, receiving one first place vote. The Lady Jackets take the pitch Saturday, August 22, hosting their home opener against Lubbock Christian. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central Time.