The University of Akron has unveiled its 2026 women's soccer schedule, a slate that blends a strong non‑conference lineup with a full Mid‑American Conference calendar. The announcement marks the first major step toward the upcoming season, setting the stage for a campaign that will see the team travel across the Midwest and host several key opponents at home.
Eight of the 18 regular‑season matches are slated for FirstEnergy Stadium, the familiar battleground that has become synonymous with Zips soccer. The venue will host a mix of early‑season tests and later conference battles, giving fans a consistent backdrop for the team's progress.
Returning talent and fresh additions
Head coach Maggie Kuhn will return with nine starters from the previous roster, including senior captains Sara Bower, Olivia Heskett and Rachel Wenzel. Their experience forms the backbone of a squad that will also be reinforced by an 11‑player signing class comprising six freshmen and five transfers, adding depth and new tactical options.
The schedule opens with an exhibition match against Northern Kentucky on August 5, followed by a home opener against Oakland on August 16. Non‑conference road trips will take the Zips to face Southern Indiana, Duquesne and Louisville, while conference play begins with a home contest against Miami before traveling to Bowling Green and Western Michigan.
Mid‑American Conference matchups will see the team host Cleveland State in September before embarking on a stretch that includes games at Robert Morris and Mercyhurst. October brings a blend of home and away fixtures, highlighted by contests against Ball State, Buffalo and Eastern Michigan at FirstEnergy Stadium, culminating in a final league road game at Western Michigan in early November.
The season will wrap up with the 2026 MAC Women's Soccer Tournament at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, where the top six league seeds will compete from November 7 through 13. The tournament promises a high‑stakes finale for a team poised to make a deep run.