UNCW's women's soccer program has released its 2026 schedule, a comprehensive slate that blends exhibition play with a full Coastal Athletic Association campaign. The announcement comes as the Seahawks look to build on a strong 2025 season that saw them capture several conference honors.
Exhibition matches set the stage
The team will open its campaign with two high‑profile exhibitions. On August 3, the Seahawks travel to South Carolina to face The Citadel, and a week later, on August 8, they host Louisiana State at home. Both matches promise early tests against programs known for their defensive intensity.
Following the exhibitions, the regular season kicks off on the road. UNCW begins with a visit to Boone, North Carolina, where they will meet Appalachian State on August 13, before heading to Cullowhee for a showdown with Western Carolina on August 16. These early road games are designed to sharpen the squad's resilience before the first home appearance.
The first home match arrives on August 20, when the Seahawks welcome Old Dominion to the UNCW Soccer Stadium. The home schedule continues with a series of non‑conference contests against VCU, East Carolina, High Point and Coastal Carolina, offering fans a varied slate of opponents in the coming weeks.
Road trips will also take the team to Georgia Southern, Charlotte and a host of other regional rivals, ensuring a rigorous test before conference play begins.
Coastal Athletic Association battle ahead
CAA competition opens on September 20 at Hampton, Virginia, and continues with away games at Towson, Maryland; Drexel, Pennsylvania; and William & Mary, Virginia. The regular conference slate will also feature home matches against Monmouth, Northeastern and Elon, before concluding the home portion with a November 1 contest against Campbell.
The CAA tournament will culminate with quarterfinal action on November 5, semifinals on November 8 and the championship match on November 14. Throughout the season, the Seahawks will be led by a core group of returning student‑athletes, including Hailey Longwell, the 2025 CAA Attacking Player of the Year, junior defender Ava Chuderewicz, a first‑team All‑CAA selection, and senior defender Rachel Fry and junior midfielder Ava Vaughan, both second‑team All‑CAA honorees.
Coach Chris Neal expressed confidence in the roster's depth and the schedule's ability to prepare the team for postseason competition. "We have a balanced mix of experience and fresh talent, and the schedule gives us the opportunity to test ourselves against a variety of styles," Neal said.