Early Standouts
The 2026 Summit League women’s soccer season opened with a flurry of action, as eight conference teams took the field in the first week of competition. Early results have already reshaped expectations, with Oral Roberts entering the campaign as the preseason favorite and quickly validating that status.
Oral Roberts, known as the Golden Eagles, opened with a 4‑1 win over Central Arkansas before adding a 3‑0 shutout of Rogers State. The victories propelled the team to a No. 3 placement in the United Soccer Coaches West Region rankings, a high water mark that underscores the program's rising profile.
South Dakota State University (SDSU) also made a splash, recording its first two shutout victories of the season. The Jackrabbits blanked Manitoba 6‑0 and then exploded for an 11‑0 triumph over MSU Moorhead, a performance that set a program record for goals in a single game and broke the league mark for points scored.
Individual contributions highlighted the opening weekend. Senior forward Brianna Castleberry, a 2025 First Team All‑League selection, netted two goals and now sits second in the league’s scoring chart. Goalkeeper Cambell Fischer anchored the defense for South Dakota, logging 11 saves and preserving a 83‑minute stretch without a Cornhuskers goal in a 1‑1 draw with Nebraska.
Midfielders Jenna Maloy, Mia Bosch and Ellie Gusman, all earning second‑team All‑League honors, paced the Jackrabbits in assists, while North Dakota State’s veteran keeper Payton Mulberry reached a career milestone of 102 saves, climbing into ninth place on the all‑time list. Anika Patton of Kansas City also impressed, tying for fourth in the league with four saves per game.
Defensive resilience was on display across the board. Omaha, despite a 2‑0 loss to Iowa State, limited the Cyclones to just four shots on goal, with Cadence Fagan making three saves in her debut. North Dakota led the league in saves during the opening week, reflecting a conference-wide emphasis on tight backlines.
Looking ahead, the early unbeaten streak of Oral Roberts, South Dakota State and South Dakota sets a competitive tone for the remainder of the schedule. With multiple matches still to come, the league’s teams will look to build on these promising starts as the season unfolds.