The Charlotte 49ers women's soccer team will open its 2026 campaign on Thursday, August 13, when it hosts the Furman Paladins at Jen Gaber Field. The kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Season Opener
Head coach Sinead Byrne, who was promoted from interim status after guiding the program to a historic 2025 season, will lead the squad into the new year. Byrne’s first full season comes on the heels of a 10‑win campaign that placed the 49ers second in the American Conference and set the stage for a fresh push.
Last season the 49ers posted a 10‑6‑2 record, with forward Megan Bradley delivering a team‑high 19 points from seven goals and five assists. Goalkeeper Sarah DeJong contributed four shutouts, 79 saves and a 1.07 goals‑against average, anchoring a defense that helped the club hold a 6‑1‑1 edge over Furman in the all‑time series.
Furman enters the matchup after a strong 2025 campaign of its own, finishing 10‑4‑5 and advancing to the SoCon semifinals before a double‑overtime loss to top‑seeded Samford. Coach Andrew Burr’s side returns key attackers Norah Roller and Maddie Massie, both of whom earned All‑SoCon honors last year.
The 49ers will test that momentum against a Furman roster that also features preseason All‑Conference selections Evie Craven and Rachel Logue, while newcomer Harlee Head is expected to see time in goal. Eleven fresh faces, including six transfers and five freshmen, are expected to contribute to the offense.
Charlotte’s schedule also includes a home game against the Radford Highlanders on Sunday, August 16 at 5:00 p.m. ET, again on ESPN+, as the team looks to carry early momentum into the remainder of the season.