The Liberty University women's soccer team is gearing up to defend its 2025 Conference USA Championship as the 2026 season kicks off with a home match against East Carolina at Osborne Stadium on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Defending the Crown
A week later the Lady Flames travel to Charlottesville to face No. 11 Virginia at Klöckner Stadium, hoping to break a 0‑17 all‑time deficit against the Cavaliers.
Head coach Lang Wedemeyer, who boasts a career record of 264‑173‑63, is entering his second straight year with the program after guiding Liberty to back‑to‑back C‑USA titles.
The team returns key contributors such as Halle Engle, the 2026 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, who has amassed 60 points and 22 goals in her career, and Lauren Littleton, the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, who earned both the defensive honor and the Championship Defensive MVP in 2025.
Between the posts, Peyton Huber, the 2025 C‑USA Goalkeeper of the Year, returns with a 9‑2‑2 record and a 0.56 goals‑against average, while Ainsley Leja brings a career 0.69 goals‑against average and 21 shutouts.
The roster will also feature newcomer Gabby Magee, a 17‑year‑old who graduated high school early to join the squad, alongside six other fresh faces as Liberty looks to replace seven departing players including Ivy Younce and Briana Myers.
Liberty’s recent accolades include the United Soccer Coaches Team Pinnacle Award for three consecutive seasons and a 13‑game unbeaten streak in Conference USA play heading into the new campaign.
Both home and away fixtures will be streamed live, with Thursday’s game available on ESPN+ and Sunday’s matchup against Virginia accessible via ACC Network Extra.