LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama women's soccer team opened the 2026 season with a 1-0 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan Friday evening at the UWA Track and Soccer Complex.
The Tigers improve to 1-0-0 on the young season, while the Panthers fall to 0-1-0. West Alabama controlled much of the offensive action, outshooting Kentucky Wesleyan 16-9 and putting six shots on target.
After a scoreless opening 40 minutes, West Alabama broke through in the 42nd minute. Junior transfer Allie Kimbrell found the back of the net at the 41:53 mark, scoring her first goal as a Tiger to give West Alabama a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
The Tigers continued to pressure the Panthers throughout the opening half, recording 11 shots compared to three for Kentucky Wesleyan. West Alabama also held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks during the opening 45 minutes.
Kimbrell finished the night with one shot and one shot on goal, while Kya Jacobs and Sofia Lacey each recorded four shots. Jacobs put two attempts on target, while Lacey added one shot on goal. Mikaela Carpino and Holly Gillies each recorded shots on target as well.
Defensively, the Tigers held strong throughout the second half to preserve the shutout. Yumari Hernandez played all 90 minutes in goal and made four saves to record her first clean sheet of the season.
Kentucky Wesleyan attempted six shots in the second half, but Hernandez turned away each of the Panthers' three shots on goal during the final 45 minutes. West Alabama also earned two second-half corner kicks to finish the night with a 5-3 advantage in that category.
The victory marks a strong start to the 2026 campaign for head coach Sam Wilson and the Tigers, who are coming off an 11-4-3 season in 2025 that saw West Alabama advance to the semifinals of the Gulf South Conference Tournament.
West Alabama will now hit the road for its next contest, traveling to take on Montevallo on Tuesday, September 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
