The University of Georgia’s women’s soccer team will open its season on August 20 at 7 p.m. EDT, welcoming James Madison University to Dooley Field inside Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.
A Milestone Night in Athens
The contest is part of the ‘Soccer in Sanford’ series, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the U.S. women’s national team’s Olympic gold medal victory at the same venue in 1996.
Georgia hopes to eclipse the NCAA attendance record of 22,512 set at a previous event, aiming to surpass the women’s record of 14,410 with a crowd bolstered by free Chick‑fil‑A meals for the first 3,000 students.
A post‑game fireworks display will follow the match, adding a festive atmosphere to what coaches expect to be a pivotal early‑season test.
Head coach Keidane McAlpine, who guided the Bulldogs to the 2023 SEC Tournament title and an NCAA Round of 16 run, will rely on a roster that returns 64.5 % of its 2025 players, including standouts Kiera Staude and Jordan Brown, while sophomore forward Mya Townes, daughter of former JMU athletes, looks to make an impact.