JACKSONVILLE, Ala.- The University of West Georgia women's soccer team opens a new era on Wednesday, August 12, traveling to Jacksonville State for a 6 p.m. season opener at the Jax State Soccer Complex in the Wolves' first match as a member of the United Athletic Conference. 

Wednesday marks the third consecutive season that West Georgia and Jacksonville State have opened the year against one another. The Gamecocks hold a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series, but the previous two meetings have produced plenty of excitement, including last season's dramatic 3-2 contest in Carrollton that featured three goals in the final three minutes of play. 

West Georgia enters the 2026 campaign looking to build on the progress made during its second Division I season while beginning a new chapter as a member of the United Athletic Conference. Under third year head coach Mallory Sayre, the Wolves return eight starters from last season's team that finished 4-13-2 overall and doubled the program's win total from its inaugural Division I season.

Leading the returning group is Noemi Casique, who made an immediate impact in her first season in Carrollton. The senior led the Wolves with four goals and eight points in 2025, placing 10 of her 15 shots on target while providing a spark to the UWG attack. In last year's match against the Gamecocks, Casique scored two goals in less than a minute. 

In goal, sophomore Emily Sanabria returns after one of the best freshman seasons in program history. Sanabria started 17 matches in 2025, recording 116 saves, the third-most in a single season in school history and the second-most by a UWG freshman. She also posted a .768 save percentage, recorded two shutouts, and made a career-high 14 saves in her first collegiate start against Georgia State.

West Georgia also returns a talented sophomore class. Midfielder Kaylen Brown scored three goals as a freshman, including the game-winner against High Point, while Rachel Higgins started 18 matches and added two goals from the midfield. Defensively, Kaialani Wise started all 19 matches during her freshman campaign.

The Wolves also welcome seven true freshmen to the roster along with one transfer in redshirt freshman defender Imani Williams, who joins the program after spending last season at Queens.

Jacksonville State enters the season after finishing 6-9-3 in 2025 and returns several key contributors under second year head coach Corey Smith. Offensively, senior Amelia Jacobs is back after one of the top scoring seasons in Conference USA, finishing fifth in the league with seven goals, including a hat trick against Alabama State and two game-winning goals. Jacobs also found the back of the net in last season's opener against West Georgia.

Emma Reeder provides another experienced option in the attack after recording three goals and two assists last season. Reeder scored her first collegiate goal against the Wolves in last year's season opener and finished the season with a .500 shots-on-goal percentage.

Defensively, the Gamecocks return goalkeeper Ella Holmberg, who served as Jacksonville State's primary starter in net in 2025. The Umeå, Sweden native posted a .809 save percentage and totaled 55 saves, with both marks ranking among the top five in Conference USA.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, at the Jax State Soccer Complex as the Wolves look to earn their first victory over Jacksonville State and earn their first victory as a member of the United Athletic Conference. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+, giving fans who can't make the trip to Jacksonville an opportunity to follow the action.