Rider University’s women’s soccer program is stepping onto the field for the 2026 season with a cautious optimism that belies the hardships of the previous year. A 3-8-7 overall record and a 1-6-5 mark in the MAAC reflected a team hampered by injuries and a meager 13 goals scored. Yet the roster that returns carries a wealth of experience and a clear intent to rewrite the narrative.
Returning core and new faces
Coach Drayson Hounsome will rely on nine players who started at least ten games last season, including defender Bethie Morgan, who has started 49 games across her first three years. Junior Tess Ferrie topped the scoring chart with eight points, while senior Ava Ferrie added seven points of her own. In goal, Ashley Moore returns after posting a 1.77 goals‑against average as a freshman, bolstering a defensive unit that recorded seven shutouts in 2025.
The incoming class brings a mix of domestic and international talent. Freshman goalkeeper Ella Brennan arrives from Ireland, while defender Sophie Barresi hails from Bayonne and forward Sophie Ibrahim is a local product from Staten Island. Their arrival adds depth and versatility to a squad eager to diversify its attacking options.
Season opener and early tests
The team’s first test comes on Thursday, November 7 at 7 p.m., when they travel to Staten Island to face Wagner. A subsequent match against NJIT will follow, offering early clues about how the new blend of veterans and newcomers will gel under game pressure.
Improving offensive performance is the primary objective. By leveraging the scoring instincts of Tess and Ava Ferrie, the defensive solidity of Morgan and Moore, and the fresh legs of Brennan, Barresi and Ibrahim, the coaching staff believes the team can increase its goal total and compete more effectively in the Metro Conference, where Fairfield is currently the preseason favorite.
If the early games translate into sustained improvement, Rider could break a streak of three consecutive losing seasons and position itself for a more competitive future in the league.