UNCW's women's soccer squad opened its 2026 season in impressive fashion, defeating Appalachian State 3-0 on Saturday. The victory not only gave the Seahawks a 1-0 record but also established an early statement in a matchup that had previously favored the Mountaineers, who had edged UNCW in their last two meetings, the most recent in 2017.
Goal Scorers Shine
Scoring opened with Hailey Longwell striking in the 25th minute, converting a free‑kick routine set up by teammate Ava Vaughan. Vaughan added a second goal just after the halftime break, netting a penalty in the 48th minute to double the lead. The final blow came in the 68th minute when Caigan Leonard finished a quick one‑two exchange with freshman Kamrey Watkins, sealing the 3‑0 result.
Watkins, making her collegiate debut and first start, logged 79 minutes on the field, contributing defensively while drawing several fouls that helped maintain UNCW's momentum. Her presence was felt throughout the match, underscoring the excitement surrounding the freshman class.
Clean Sheet and Saves
Between the attacking outburst and the defensive solidity, goalkeeper Zoë Anderson and her backup Lili White combined for three saves, preserving a clean sheet and limiting Appalachian State to just eight shots, three of which were on target.
Looking Ahead
The Seahawks are scheduled to travel to Western Carolina for their next contest on August 16 at 1 p.m. The Catamounts enter the game with a 1-0 record after their own opening win, setting the stage for an early‑season showdown.