CARROLLTON, Ga.- The West Georgia women's soccer team returns to the City of Dreams for the first regular season match in 2026, hosting Mercer in its home opener Sunday at 6 p.m. at University Soccer Field.

The Wolves enter Sunday's matchup following a 1-1 draw at Jacksonville State in the season opener. West Georgia held the lead for nearly the entire match before the Gamecocks found the equalizer with less than five minutes remaining.

Senior midfielder Noemi Casique once again led the way offensively against Jacksonville State, scoring the Wolves' lone goal in the 1-1 draw. Casique has now found the back of the net in consecutive matches against the Gamecocks after recording a brace in last season's opener. She is also one of five players in the UAC who scored a goal on opening night.

Casique's goal came with 23 minutes remaining in the first half, as she connected on a pass from Morgan Setzer to give West Georgia the early advantage. The assist marked the first of Setzer's collegiate career.

While Casique provided the offense, sophomore goalkeeper Emily Sanabria anchored the Wolves defensively. Sanabria recorded 12 saves against Jacksonville State, setting a new UWG Division I record for saves in a season opener.

Sanabria's 12-save performance shouldn't surprise Wolves fans, since she is coming off a historic freshman campaign where she started 17 matches and recorded 116 saves, which is third in a single season in program history and second by a freshman. She also posted a .768 save percentage and recorded two shutouts. After the first match of the 2026 season, Sanabria leads the UAC in goals against average (1.00), saves (12) and save percentage (.923).

Mercer enters 1-0 after earning a 2-1 road victory over Jackson State Wednesday night. The Bears controlled the match offensively, outshooting Jackson State 17-10 and holding a 12-2 advantage in shots on goal.

Payton Nutzman led the way for Mercer in her first appearance since suffering a season-ending injury on Oct. 5, 2025. Nutzman scored both of the Bears' goals in the first half, opening the scoring with a penalty kick in the 32nd minute before adding another goal 10 minutes later. Freshman Bella DeSantis recorded her first collegiate point with an assist on Nutzman's second goal. Following the first match of the season, Nutzman sits atop the SoCon in points, goals and game-winning goals.

Mercer also had a strong defensive performance in the season opener, limiting Jackson State to just two shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Ariel Bernard made her first career start and recorded one save, while the Bears used 25 different players throughout the contest.

Sunday marks just the second all-time meeting between West Georgia and Mercer. The Bears won the first matchup 1-0 last season in Macon, with Sunday's contest marking Mercer's first trip to University Soccer Field.

The Wolves will look to defend home turf for the first time this season while continuing to build off the strong effort displayed in Wednesday's season opener.

Sunday's home opener will also feature several activities for fans. During halftime, fans will have the opportunity to participate in a crossbar challenge with swag bags and Chick-fil-A gift cards available as prizes.

Admission to all UWG soccer matches is free. Fans are encouraged to come out to University Soccer Field and help the Wolves kick off the 2026 home schedule. . For those unable to attend Sunday's match, the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.