2026 Season Preview
The Marist University women's soccer team is set to begin its 2026 campaign on August 16, traveling to face Binghamton in the first test of a demanding schedule.
Head coach Nicole Pacapelli Ciano, now in her fourth year at the helm, will rely on a blend of returning veterans and fresh talent as the Red Foxes look to reverse a stretch that has seen winning seasons elude the program since 2018 and 2019.
Early Schedule Details
The early slate includes a home opener against Colgate on August 20, followed by matches against Fordham and Holy Cross, while the team also meets non‑conference opponents such as Saint Peter's, Sacred Heart, Niagara, Merrimack and Canisius throughout the season.
In conference play the Red Foxes have already posted victories over Saint Peter's, Sacred Heart, Niagara, Merrimack and Canisius, while they have settled for ties with Iona, Siena, Fairfield, Quinnipiac and Mount Saint Mary's.
Despite those results, the team endured a rough finish last year, being held scoreless in six of the final eight matches and exiting the quarterfinal playoff after defeats to Manhattan, Rider and Canisius.
Coach's Vision
Coach Pacapelli Ciano emphasizes that the experience gained from those setbacks will inform a more aggressive attacking approach as the squad aims to break the program's drought of winning campaigns.
The upcoming season also features a clash with Navy, a program that has historically been a strong non‑conference adversary, adding another layer of excitement for fans.
Fans can expect a competitive atmosphere as the Red Foxes look to reclaim the Metro regular‑season title they last captured in 2012.