Western Carolina's women's soccer program has kicked off its summer training regimen, marking the first step toward the 2026 campaign. Under new NCAA regulations, the team is limited to ten hours of organized activity per week, a constraint that coaches Chad Miller and Andrew Green are using to fine‑tune tactics and build chemistry.
Miller, the head coach, and Green, his associate, are overseeing a roster that combines a solid core of returners with a sizable influx of newcomers. The squad boasts fifteen players who saw action in the previous season, including three starters — Mary Mueth, Samantha Whitaker, and Emma Soucy — who will anchor the lineup.
A Blend of Veteran Savvy and Fresh Talent
The 2026 roster features fourteen newcomers, six of whom are transfers. Among them is Alexe Drolet, who arrives from Louisiana Tech, bringing experience from the collegiate ranks. Several other transfers and fresh faces, such as Gabriela Vatrano, Maddie Lopez, Rylie Niemeyer, Malia Roberts, Alexandra Grammenopoulos, Caroline Simpkins, Mackenzie Howard, Eliza Rich, Sofia Goclowski, Addison Davis, Lucie Bertrand, and Abbie Wise, are expected to contribute immediately.
Last season, four players logged significant minutes in at least eighteen matches, providing a depth of experience that will be valuable as the team navigates a demanding schedule. Their familiarity with the program’s style of play should help integrate the many new members smoothly.
Exhibition Matches and Season Opener
The Catamounts will test their preparations in two exhibition games against Georgia State and Wright State before the regular season begins. The opening matches are set for August 13 against Winthrop and August 16 against UNC Wilmington, events that will showcase the team’s readiness and the impact of the new coaching staff’s adjustments.
A notable shift will be observed in the goalkeeping department. Former starter Leanne Trudel, who appeared in every possible minute last season, has departed, opening the position for Amara Yetka, Sara Sanders, and Elizabeth Rupert. The trio will look to build on the foundation laid by Trudel’s tenure while adapting to the new defensive schemes emphasized by Miller and Green.
Replacing the departures of key graduates such as Isabella DeMarco and Ava Robitaille will be a central theme as the team moves forward. Their contributions last year were pivotal, and the coaching staff is confident that the blend of seasoned returners and motivated newcomers will fill the void. The upcoming season promises a competitive schedule, and the early summer work will be crucial in shaping the Catamounts’ identity on the field.