A clash of early season ambitions
Thursday night in Charlotte, the Winthrop University women's soccer team will host Queens University in a much‑anticipated matchup that kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The Eagles, who opened their season with a 1‑1 draw against Emory & Henry, enter the game with a 1‑2‑1 overall record and a 0‑0 mark in Big South Conference play.
Queens, meanwhile, arrives after a 3‑0 shutout loss to Richmond and sits at 0‑2‑1 overall, also yet to register a point in ASUN Conference play. The two programs have met three times in the past three seasons, with the most recent encounter ending in a 0‑0 stalemate on September 14, 2025.
Winthrop's historical edge is modest; the Eagles hold a 158‑200‑53 all‑time record against Queens, a statistic that underscores the competitiveness of the series. The last meeting in September 2024 resulted in a 2‑0 defeat for Winthrop, but the team has since added fresh talent and returned several veterans.
Key contributors for the Eagles include senior forward Amalie Steen, who netted the only goal in the draw with Emory & Henry and has shown a knack for finding space in the box. Midfielder Monssi Avila‑Gutierrez led the squad with six shooting attempts, three of which were on target, and was recognized as First Team All‑Big South last season.
Coach Spencer Smith, now in his 17th year at the helm, will rely on a blend of experience and youth. The roster features 13 returning players, eight freshmen, and one transfer, a mix that Smith believes can challenge the Royals' defense.
The coaching staff also highlights returning standouts such as Cordelia McIntosh, who earned a spot on the Big South Midseason Watch List, and Lindsay Sheets, a freshman who made the All‑Freshman Team. Their presence adds depth as the Eagles aim to improve on a preseason poll that projected them sixth in the conference.
Beyond the field, the match is more than a regional rivalry; it reflects broader ambitions within the Big South and ASUN conferences as both schools seek to shape early standings. With the Eagles' season opener against a winless Queens side, the outcome could set the tone for a campaign that many expect to be tightly contested.