A historic rivalry rekindled
UAB's women's soccer team will host Mississippi State at PNC Field on Sunday night, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Central Time. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, giving fans across the country a chance to watch the Blazers' season debut.
The all‑time series between the two programs stands at 4‑2‑0 in favor of UAB, a margin that has been built over more than a decade. The last meeting occurred on August 27, 2010, in Starkville, Mississippi, where the Blazers secured a 3‑0 victory.
UAB opened the 2026 campaign by defeating Georgia State 4‑2, with goals from Morgan Goehring, Emily Cole, Lailah Stewart and Avery Berryman. Each scorer contributed a milestone: Goehring recorded her 15th career goal, Cole found the net for the first time in college, Stewart added her 17th career point and ninth with the Blazers, while Berryman reached her seventh career goal.
New roster dynamics
This season the Blazers have integrated eight newcomers, including six freshmen and two transfers, while retaining 19 returning players. Ten of those returnees are starters, among them key contributors Lailah Stewart, Avery Berryman and Ava Mills, who all returned from the previous campaign.
Mississippi State also began its season with a 3‑0 win over South Alabama, and the Bulldogs have added 19 new players, nine of whom are letterwinners, including one established starter.
The matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN+, underscoring the growing visibility of collegiate women's soccer. With both teams looking to fine‑tune their line‑ups, the game offers an early barometer for the Blazers' title aspirations.
As the Blazers prepare to defend their historical advantage, the night at PNC Field promises a blend of fresh talent and seasoned firepower, setting the tone for a promising 2026 campaign.