The Mountaineers will kick off the 2026‑2027 campaign on August 13, when they host the Dayton Flyers at the historic Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown. The matchup not only marks the start of a new season but also celebrates a milestone for the program.
30 Years of Mountaineer Soccer
This season marks the 30th anniversary of West Virginia University’s women’s soccer team, a journey that began under the guidance of head coach Nikki Izzo‑Brown, who is entering her third decade at the helm.
Returning between the posts is goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth, a redshirt senior who posted a 13‑1‑4 record last year and will anchor a defense that also brings back three of the team’s top five scorers from 2025: Maddie Levy, Abbey Olexa and Anna Hauer.
The roster also welcomes transfers from Kansas, Cincinnati and Utah, while freshmen Saige Wimes, Rylee Felton, Mia Paugh and others add depth to a squad that finished the previous season with a strong 2‑0 record against Dayton.
Key Matchups on the Horizon
Beyond the opener, the schedule features high‑profile contests against Penn State, Marshall, Cincinnati and Utah, as well as non‑conference games that will test the Mountaineers against a variety of opponents.
With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the team aims to extend its early‑season momentum and make a deep run in the upcoming tournament.