The DePaul women's soccer team is set to kick off its 2026 preseason schedule with a home game against Valparaiso University on August 6 at Brown Field in Valparaiso, Indiana, kicking off at 6 p.m. Central Time.
Head coach Michele O'Brien will be entering her sixth season at the helm, having guided the program through a period of growth and several milestone victories.
Returning to the staff is associate head coach Brendan Roth, a Valparaiso native who previously coached the team from 2012‑2016 and 2017‑2021 and also played for the university from 2007‑2011.
The 2025 season ended with a 4‑12‑2 record, highlighted by a program‑record six‑goal triumph over Chicago State and a historic first win over a Big Ten opponent, Purdue, since 2018.
DePaul closed its non‑conference slate with a 1‑0 victory over Eastern Michigan, secured by a second‑half penalty kick, and opened Big East play with a 2‑1 comeback win at Seton Hall, extending an unbeaten streak against the Pirates to 13 matches.
Forward Sienna Gonzales earned All‑Big East Third Team honors and led the squad in shots, shots on goal and points, serving as a key offensive weapon.
The roster returns 16 letterwinners, including a six‑member senior class featuring Mackenzie Lee, Shayna da Silva, Mya Gardner, Danielle Fjeldsted, Mason Hillery and Kristen Schwartz, who will experience their final season together.
Alongside the veterans, the team welcomed 12 newcomers, comprising eight true freshmen and four transfers, adding fresh talent and depth.
Beyond the field, the Blue Demons captured the Big East Team Academic Excellence Award for three consecutive seasons (2022‑2024), underscoring the program's commitment to scholarship.