The 2026 women's soccer season for Emporia State begins with a split weekend that will see the Hornets host and travel to face the Drury Panthers and the Maryville Saints on August 27, 2026, marking the first test of a campaign built on last year’s momentum.
A Coaching Continuity Brings Momentum
Head coach Jane Grimley‑Gunn enters her third year at the helm, having guided Missouri S&T to a GLVC Tournament appearance in 2023 and now looking to translate that experience into another step forward for Emporia State.
The roster retains its top eight scorers from a 2025 campaign that produced nine wins and a semifinal run, with sophomores Ella Favot and Megan Kephart returning after earning second‑team All‑MIAA honors.
Opponents Ready to Test the Hornets
Drury, fresh off a 10‑3‑8 record and a third straight GLVC Tournament title, brings goalkeeper Katy Fitzler, the conference’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Maryville arrives with a 13‑3‑6 record and a freshman sensation in Sophia Carter, who captured Freshman of the Year honors.
Both programs have enjoyed recent NCAA Tournament exposure, giving the Hornets a clear benchmark for competition.
Metrics and Momentum
Early statistical trends show Emporia State’s goals per game climbing from 1.35 to 1.60 while its goals‑against average improved from 1.47 to 1.00, suggesting a more potent attack and tighter defense.
With the experience of returning players and the continuity of Grimley‑Gunn’s system, the team is poised to challenge the GLVC elite and perhaps extend its own streak of deep playoff runs.