A New Chapter for the Eagles
Morehead State’s women’s soccer squad is set to embark on its first-ever road preseason outing, heading to Chicago to meet Chicago State on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Eastern time. The exhibition, part of a two‑game scrimmage series, marks a historic milestone for the program as the Eagles step onto an opponent’s turf for the first time in their history.
Coach Paul Cox will use the match as a laboratory, giving each of the 26 players a chance to see minutes under pressure while testing different tactical setups. ‘We want to provide valuable playing time and varied opposition,’ Cox said, emphasizing that the scrimmages are designed to sharpen the team before the regular season begins.
The roster blends experience with fresh talent. Among the 17 returnees are sophomore defender Faith Peper, senior defender/midfielder Hannah Burke and sophomore forward Jade Walton, all of whom logged significant minutes last year. Newcomers such as goalkeeper Allie Lammers and forward Ashlyn Francis are expected to make immediate impacts, adding depth to a squad that finished spring with a 2‑2‑1 record.
After the Chicago State encounter, the Eagles will travel to Ohio for a second preseason test on Sunday before opening the regular season on the road at Marshall on August 13. A home debut against Brescia (Ky.) follows on August 16, setting the stage for a demanding early schedule.
The team’s recent form offers a mixed picture. In 2025 they posted a 0‑7‑1 road record during preseason play, but they also logged a 2‑2‑1 spring showing with wins over Charleton and Pikeville and losses to Bellarmine and Miami (Ohio). Opponents will be aware that the Eagles averaged just 0.44 goals and assists per game while conceding 2.06 per match.
Chicago State arrives in the series with its own momentum. The Cougars finished last season 5‑9‑5 overall and 3‑6‑2 in the Northeast Conference, ranking ninth in the preseason poll and posting a 1.0 goals‑against average. Their experience could provide a stern test for the Eagles’ defensive experiments.
With a blend of seasoned leaders and promising newcomers, Morehead State hopes to turn early preseason setbacks into a foundation for a competitive campaign. The upcoming road tests will be a crucial gauge of where the Eagles stand as they prepare to write a new chapter on the national stage.