SEC soccer competition postponed until at least September 1

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) will be delaying the start of its fall soccer season, with no games taking place until at least September 1.

The SEC features NCAA Division I women’s soccer only, with the following programs in the East Division: Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Missouri. The SEC’s West Division includes: Arkansas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, Mississippi State and LSU.

Volleyball and cross country will also have their seasons delayed on the same timeline. The SEC’s decision is the same as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), which announced its decision on July 9.

Meanwhile, the Ivy League and Patriot League have both called off fall sports competition entirely, with the possibility of playing in the spring. The Pac-12 and Big Ten will only play games between conference opponents.

See below for the full statement from the SEC:

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday that it will postpone the start of volleyball, soccer and cross country competition through at least August 31. The decision will provide additional time to prepare for the safe return of competition on an adjusted timeline.

The delay in competition includes all exhibition and non-conference games.

SEC institutions will continue to follow the guidance of the Conference’s Return to Activity and Medical Advisory Task Force and the NCAA’s Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines as student-athletes are engaged in preseason preparation for a return to competition.

Any rescheduling of non-conference contests impacted by the postponed start of the fall seasons in volleyball, soccer and cross country will be determined by each school.

The SEC continues to monitor developments related to COVID-19 as it evaluates the potential impact on fall schedules in all sports, with the understanding that the primary responsibility of the SEC and its institutions is to ensure the health and well-being of its student-athletes.