LIVINGSTON, Ala. — Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, the University of West Alabama women's soccer team will open the 2026 campaign Friday, August 28, hosting Kentucky Wesleyan at 5 p.m. at the UWA Soccer Field.
The Tigers enter the new season after posting an 11-4-3 overall record and a 7-3-2 mark in Gulf South Conference play in 2025. West Alabama advanced to the semifinals of the GSC Tournament, marking another strong postseason run for head coach
Sam Wilson, who enters his fourth season leading the program.
West Alabama returns a strong core from last year's squad while welcoming 12 newcomers to Livingston. Three of those newcomers:
Tianna Klysh,
Sofia Jimenez Perez, and
Kya Jacobs were named to the GSC Newcomers Watchlist.
Klysh joins the Tigers after two seasons at Chicago State, where she appeared in 22 matches and logged 371 career minutes. Jimenez Perez brings collegiate experience from Hampton University and Pellissippi State Community College, while Jacobs arrives from Alabama A&M after appearing in 14 matches and scoring one goal in 2025.
The Tigers also added junior transfer
Allie Kimbrell and midfielder
Isabella Frullaney. Kimbrell recorded three goals and seven assists for 13 points in 45 career matches at Northwest Mississippi Community College.
Frullaney, a transfer from Point University, totaled 15 goals and 15 assists for 45 points across 36 career matches.
West Alabama will rely on several key returners, including preseason All-GSC selections
Yumari Hernandez and
Santanna O'Grady.
Hernandez returns in goal after a standout freshman season in which she started all 18 matches, recorded 67 saves and posted 10 shutouts while allowing just 12 goals. Her performance earned her All-GSC Second Team honors, five GSC Freshman of the Week awards and three GSC Goalkeeper of the Week honors.
O'Grady returns as a veteran presence along the back line after starting all 18 matches' last season. She was also named to the GSC Honor Roll.
Other returning contributors include
Mikaela Carpino, who earned GSC All-Tournament Team honors after starting 14 of 17 matches,
Aynzlie Nelson, who recorded a game-winning goal and earned GSC Defender of the Week honors, and
Bailee Fairley, who totaled two goals and one assist while scoring game-winners against Kentucky Wesleyan and Tusculum.
Panthers Look to Rebound
Kentucky Wesleyan enters Friday's opener following a 1-14-3 season in 2025, including a 1-11-2 record in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play. The Panthers were picked to finish 12th in the G-MAC Preseason Poll.
Kentucky Wesleyan returns to several players who led the team offensively last season, including Haylie Panter, Marley Collins, Haley Osborne, Deca Burr and Anna Klueh.
Panter led the Panthers with four goals and one assist for nine points while starting all 18 matches. Collins added two goals and one assist, while Osborne also recorded two goals and one assist and led the team with 26 shots.
The Panthers scored 12 goals across 18 matches last season while allowing 56. Abby Payne started all 18 matches in goal and recorded 66 saves.
Series History
Friday's matchup will mark just the second meeting between West Alabama and Kentucky Wesleyan. The Tigers lead the all-time series 1-0 after earning a 1-0 victory in Owensboro, Kentucky, in Sept. 4, 2025.
West Alabama will look to make it two straight against the Panthers when the teams meet again Friday in Livingston.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at the UWA Soccer Field.
