Thursday night showdown
The University of Chattanooga women's soccer squad will meet Belmont University on Thursday, August 20, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the campus of Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. The match marks the latest chapter in a series that has favored the Bruins, who hold a 4‑0‑1 edge in Nashville.
The two programs last met in 2023, when Chattanooga edged Belmont 4‑2. Goals came from Reese Wilson, Emma Reeves, Paige Thomas and Clarissa Salinas, while Belmont’s scorers were not detailed in the preview.
In goal, Caroline Ekern continues to rewrite the Mocs’ record books. She enters the game with 29 career wins and 22 clean sheets, achievements that have placed her among the program’s all‑time greats. Ekern’s fifth season of eligibility stems from an NCAA ruling that granted an extra year to certain graduate students.
Quinn Johnson, the freshman forward who earned Southern Conference Preseason All‑Conference honors and was named 2025 SoCon Freshman of the Year, scored the decisive goal in the win over Winthrop and is expected to be a central offensive threat.
Coach’s preseason poll placed the Mocs fifth in the SoCon, a projection that adds a layer of underdog motivation as they prepare to test Belmont’s defense, anchored by goalkeeper Greta Genie, who has faced 25 shots and recorded 11 saves this season.
With both teams looking to fine‑tune tactics before conference play, the upcoming encounter promises a blend of experience and youthful vigor, setting the stage for a compelling early‑season test.