A dominant start to the season
UNC Asheville Women's Soccer opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion, routing Southern Wesleyan 6‑0 on August 19. The victory not only secured the Bulldogs' third straight unbeaten match but also established a new program record for shots in a single game, with 39 attempts that eclipsed the previous high of 38.
From the outset the team controlled possession and limited the opposition to a single shot on goal. Thirteen corner kicks underscored their attacking pressure, while a disciplined defensive shape kept the visitors at bay.
First‑career moments
The match featured several milestones for the Bulldogs' emerging talent. Makayla Cihlar opened the scoring in the fourth minute, notching her inaugural collegiate goal with assistance from Lilly Graumann and Sanna Smith. Lili Adams added a brace, scoring twice to bring her career total to three goals, while Joanna Tucker recorded her first career goal and later contributed an assist to Henderson.
Emmie Henderson also broke through with her first goal of the season and second of her career in the 28th minute, and she later set up Tucker's debut marker in the closing stages. Graumann's three assists marked a career‑high performance, and Smith and Henderson each logged their first career assists, highlighting the depth of the squad's playmaking.
A glimpse of future promise
Goalkeeper London Phoenix made a splash in her collegiate debut, earning a clean sheet with 25 saves in just 65 minutes. Her performance added a solid foundation to a defense that conceded only one shot all night. With multiple players registering first‑career points, the Bulldogs appear poised to build on this early momentum as they progress through the schedule.
The coaching staff praised the team's execution and depth, noting that the blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent bodes well for the remainder of the season. As the Bulldogs continue to refine their attacking patterns and maintain defensive resilience, they enter the coming weeks with confidence and a clear identity.