Season Preview
The 2026 women's soccer campaign for Mount St. Mary's University kicks off with a home clash against the UMBC Retrievers on August 13, kicking off at 7 p.m. The match marks the first test for a roster that blends seasoned veterans with a wave of fresh talent.
Last season ended with a modest 3‑12‑2 record, including a tough 1‑9‑2 mark in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play. The team will look to improve on a defense that saw 89 of 100 saves by goalkeeper Abby Makela, but the offense struggled to find the net, converting only nine of 14 goals from returning players.
Among those returning, Cassidy Nichols led the scoring with ten points, featuring four goals and two assists, while players such as Joelle Hamel, Erin Antone, Lillian Young and Peyton Meara contributed heavily in the attacking third. Goalkeepers Anna Joyce and Anna Wall also logged over a thousand minutes combined, providing stability between the posts.
The roster will welcome ten newcomers, highlighted by sophomore transfer Fineen Cregan from Akron and a group of nine freshmen hailing from locations ranging from Bel Air, MD, to Messingen, Germany. Freshman Camryn Baker joins the mix, adding depth to a squad that aims to diversify its skill set.
Preseason expectations place the team 12th in the Metro Conference poll with 39 points, reflecting a challenging outlook. Historically, UMBC holds a 15‑5 edge in the 21 meetings between the programs, having won the last two encounters in 2021 and 2023.
The schedule continues on August 16 when Mount St. Mary's hosts Towson at Waldron Family Stadium, kicking off at 6 p.m. The early home fixtures will be crucial for building momentum as the team looks to translate preseason promise into on‑field results.