In August 2026, the College of the Canyons women’s soccer program will step beyond California for the first time, heading to the Hawaiian islands for a two‑match series that marks a historic milestone for the Cougars.
A milestone on the horizon
The games are scheduled for August 18 and 20 at Vulcan Field in Hawaii, where the team will face the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Chaminade University of Honolulu, both members of the Pacific Coast Conference in NCAA Division II.
Head Coach Justin Lundin says the trip is about more than competition; it is a chance for players to bond, experience a new culture, and glimpse the academic and athletic environments of four‑year schools that lie outside the state.
Lundin’s long‑standing relationships in Hawaii, forged through years of coaching connections, made the arrangement possible, and he hopes the exposure will inspire current athletes to consider scholarship opportunities beyond California.
The roster includes returning standouts such as Bailey Williamson, who earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in the Western State Conference, South Division, and a core group of eleven veterans including Mia Sadra, Lily Golphenee and Rebecca Ferguson.
Eleven freshmen will also join the squad, five of whom hail from schools within the Santa Clarita Valley, adding new energy to a team that has traditionally lost players each year.
Fundraising efforts have covered travel and lodging, allowing the Cougars to focus on preparation for the upcoming season, which opens with a home match against Allan Hancock College on August 28, streamed live on YouTube.
The trip also highlights a pipeline of talent between College of the Canyons and the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where former Cougars such as Jessica Heade, Kassandra Talamantez, Anabell Gonzalez, Jennifer Mendez, Astrid Perez, Lucy Maino and Crystal Sanchez have continued their careers.
Alumni like Elisa Wassner have moved on to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, underscoring the broader network of student‑athlete transitions that the program seeks to leverage.
Looking ahead
As the Cougars gear up for the new season, the experience in Hawaii is expected to deepen team cohesion and broaden the program’s recruiting narrative, setting a precedent for future out‑of‑state engagements.