LIVINGSTON, Ala. — Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, the University of West Alabama women's soccer team enters the 2026 campaign looking to build on the momentum from a year ago.
The Tigers finished the 2025 season with an 11-4-3 overall record and a 7-3-2 mark in Gulf South Conference play, advancing to the semifinals of the GSC Tournament. With head coach Sam Wilson entering his fourth season at the helm, West Alabama will look to carry that success into a new campaign while welcoming a talented group of newcomers and returning a strong core from last year's squad.
Wilson and the Tigers have added 12 newcomers to the roster, including three players named to the GSC Newcomers Watchlist: Tianna Klysh, Sofia Jimenez Perez and Kya Jacobs.
Klysh joins West Alabama after spending two seasons at Chicago State. The forward appeared in 22 matches during her collegiate career, recording 371 minutes of Division I experience. Her speed and work rate give the Tigers another option in the attacking third as they look to replace production from a season ago.
Jimenez Perez brings experience from multiple collegiate programs, having competed at Hampton University and Pellissippi State Community College. During her time at Hampton, the forward appeared in 13 matches with four starts and logged 492 minutes. Her collegiate experience adds depth and versatility to the Tigers' attacking group.
Jacobs comes to Livingston following the 2025 season at Alabama A&M. The Ontario, Canada, native appeared in 14 matches and earned one start, scoring her lone goal of the season against Prairie View on Oct. 12. She finished the campaign with two points while recording one shot and one shot on goal in 225 minutes.
Another experienced addition to the Tigers is junior transfer Allie Kimbrell. The Hernando, Mississippi, native arrives from Northwest Mississippi Community College after appearing in 45 career matches with 21 starts. Kimbrell totaled three goals and seven assists for 13 points while recording 31 shots and 14 shots on goal during her collegiate career.
West Alabama also adds one of the most productive offensive players in its recruiting class in Isabella Frullaney. The Columbus, Georgia, native transfers from Point University, where she accumulated 45 career points across two seasons. Frullaney recorded 15 goals and 15 assists in 36 matches, starting 32 contests, and produced at least 21 points in each of her two seasons. Her ability to both score and create opportunities gives the Tigers another dynamic presence in the midfield.
While the newcomers will provide fresh talent throughout the roster, West Alabama returns several key contributors from last season, including preseason All-GSC selections Yumari Hernandez and Santanna O'Grady.
Hernandez returns between the posts after a standout freshman campaign. The goalkeeper played and started all 18 matches, playing every minute of each contest while recording 67 saves on 79 shots faced for an .848 save percentage. She allowed just 12 goals and posted 10 shutouts while helping the Tigers to an 11-4-3 record. Her impressive season earned her All-GSC Second Team honors, along with five GSC Freshman of the Week selections and three GSC Goalkeeper of the Week awards.
O'Grady returns as one of the anchors of the Tigers' defensive unit. The defender played and started all 18 matches in 2025 and earned GSC Honor Roll recognition. Her consistency and experience will be important for a West Alabama defense looking to continue the strong form that helped the Tigers reach the GSC Tournament semifinals.
West Alabama will also welcome back Mikaela Carpino, who appeared in 17 matches and made 14 starts last season. Carpino recorded 17 shots, putting seven on target, and earned a spot on the GSC All-Tournament Team for her performance during the postseason.
Aynzlie Nelson returns after appearing in all 18 matches with 14 starts. She recorded one goal on five shots, four of which were on target, while totaling two points and a game-winning goal. Nelson also earned GSC Defender of the Week honors once during the season.
Bailee Fairley is another returning contributor after starting 17 of 18 matches during the 2025 campaign. Fairley finished the season with two goals and one assist for five points, while recording 36 shots and 18 shots on goal. She scored game-winning goals against Kentucky Wesleyan and Tusculum and also recorded an assist in the Tigers' win over Union.
With a mixture of experienced returners and 12 newcomers, West Alabama enters the 2026 season with a roster built to continue the program's upward trajectory. The Tigers will look to once again compete near the top of the GSC standings and make another postseason run under Wilson.
After reaching the conference semifinals a season ago, West Alabama will begin its pursuit of another successful campaign when the 2026 season gets underway.
