Thursday, August 13
Nacogdoches, TX
10:00 a.m.
Stephen F. Austin
vs
Sul Ross State
Preview: Ladyjacks Soccer Set to Open 2026 Season
8/11/2026 3:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SFA kicks off the new campaign at home against Sul Ross State
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks soccer team is set to face the Sul Ross State Lobos in a much-anticipated season opener. This match marks the first meeting between the two programs and the 12th home-site season opener in program history, as SFA begins its 2026 campaign at the Chopping Block.
Date, Time, and Location
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Kick-off at 10:00 AM
The Chopping Block, Nacogdoches, TX
Broadcast and Ticket Information
For fans who are unable to attend in person, the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+, ensuring that supporters can catch all the action from home. Single-game tickets are available for purchase HERE. Additionally, students can enjoy free entry, making it an excellent opportunity for the student body to support Ladyjacks Soccer.
Special Promotions
Fans bringing school supplies for donation will receive free entry, contributing to local schools while enjoying a day of SFA Soccer. Attendees will also have the chance to receive an SFA Soccer schedule card as a match giveaway.
Series History
This match marks the first-ever meeting between SFA and Sul Ross, with 604 miles separating the two programs.
Season Opener
SFA posts a 13-15-3 record in season openers, including a 7-2-2 mark when opening the season at home. The Ladyjacks have outscored their opponents 17-13 in home season openers, recording four shutouts, with three between the 2012 and 2018 seasons.
SFA Ladyjacks
Entering her second season as head coach, Ashley Whittemore leads the Ladyjacks, who are aiming to build on their strong performance from last season. The Ladyjacks posted an 8-4-10 record in the previous year and finished second in the Southland Conference (SLC) with a 5-1-4 record. The Ladyjacks ended the season with a 1-0 heartbreak loss to HCU in the 2025 SLC Championship, as Whittemore became the first female head coach in program history to lead SFA Soccer to a Southland Conference Championship match in her debut season.
With a home record of 28-15-7 at The Chopping Block since 2020, the Ladyjacks will look to capitalize on their home field advantage. Key returning players include Sydney Williams, a 2025 All-Southland Second Team selection, who logged 1,875 minutes last season, and Sawyer Kohutek, who contributed significantly on and off the pitch as an SLC All-Academic honoree in the offseason.
Kamrynn Davis, recognized as a 2026 Southland Breakout Candidate by TopDrawerSoccer, is also expected to make an impact in her sophomore season. Davis accounted for two goals last season, with her most notable goal coming during the 2025 SLC Tournament. Davis' goal gave the Ladyjacks insurance during their semifinal matchup against host Lamar in the SLC Tournament.
The Ladyjacks have also bolstered their roster with new talent, including six freshmen from the Lone Star State and ten transfers. Noteworthy additions include Amélie Prié, a six-foot ICCAC Conference Tournament MVP and German defender, and Savannah Epting, a six-foot goalkeeper who transferred from 2025 Southland Tournament Champions, HCU.
Sul Ross Lobos
The Lobos are looking to improve upon their 2-16 record from last season. Under the guidance of Head Coach John Dominguez, who is entering his sixth season, the team aims to elevate their performance. A key player to watch is returning forward Cali Triggs, who made history last season by scoring the second-fastest goal in Lobo history.
New Branding
SFA Soccer has introduced new branding on social media and warmup gear, featuring 17 stars to represent each time the team has won either a regular season or tournament title in program history. The Ladyjacks use this as a reminder to aim for their 18th title this season.
Coaching Staff Update
This offseason, SFA added one new coach to its staff, though she is no stranger to the program. Former Ladyjack goalkeeper Makenna Garcia was named an assistant coach and will serve as the Ladyjacks' goalkeepers coach for the 2026 season.
Garcia stated, "I am so excited and grateful to be given this opportunity to join the SFA women's soccer staff," Garcia said. "These are some of the best coaches and people I have had in my life and career as a soccer player, and I can't wait to join them in continuing to make this program one of the best in the nation. I have such a passion for soccer and goalkeeping — I am ready to get to work!"
Date, Time, and Location
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Kick-off at 10:00 AM
The Chopping Block, Nacogdoches, TX
Broadcast and Ticket Information
For fans who are unable to attend in person, the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+, ensuring that supporters can catch all the action from home. Single-game tickets are available for purchase HERE. Additionally, students can enjoy free entry, making it an excellent opportunity for the student body to support Ladyjacks Soccer.
Special Promotions
Fans bringing school supplies for donation will receive free entry, contributing to local schools while enjoying a day of SFA Soccer. Attendees will also have the chance to receive an SFA Soccer schedule card as a match giveaway.
Series History
This match marks the first-ever meeting between SFA and Sul Ross, with 604 miles separating the two programs.
Season Opener
SFA posts a 13-15-3 record in season openers, including a 7-2-2 mark when opening the season at home. The Ladyjacks have outscored their opponents 17-13 in home season openers, recording four shutouts, with three between the 2012 and 2018 seasons.
SFA Ladyjacks
Entering her second season as head coach, Ashley Whittemore leads the Ladyjacks, who are aiming to build on their strong performance from last season. The Ladyjacks posted an 8-4-10 record in the previous year and finished second in the Southland Conference (SLC) with a 5-1-4 record. The Ladyjacks ended the season with a 1-0 heartbreak loss to HCU in the 2025 SLC Championship, as Whittemore became the first female head coach in program history to lead SFA Soccer to a Southland Conference Championship match in her debut season.
With a home record of 28-15-7 at The Chopping Block since 2020, the Ladyjacks will look to capitalize on their home field advantage. Key returning players include Sydney Williams, a 2025 All-Southland Second Team selection, who logged 1,875 minutes last season, and Sawyer Kohutek, who contributed significantly on and off the pitch as an SLC All-Academic honoree in the offseason.
Kamrynn Davis, recognized as a 2026 Southland Breakout Candidate by TopDrawerSoccer, is also expected to make an impact in her sophomore season. Davis accounted for two goals last season, with her most notable goal coming during the 2025 SLC Tournament. Davis' goal gave the Ladyjacks insurance during their semifinal matchup against host Lamar in the SLC Tournament.
The Ladyjacks have also bolstered their roster with new talent, including six freshmen from the Lone Star State and ten transfers. Noteworthy additions include Amélie Prié, a six-foot ICCAC Conference Tournament MVP and German defender, and Savannah Epting, a six-foot goalkeeper who transferred from 2025 Southland Tournament Champions, HCU.
Sul Ross Lobos
The Lobos are looking to improve upon their 2-16 record from last season. Under the guidance of Head Coach John Dominguez, who is entering his sixth season, the team aims to elevate their performance. A key player to watch is returning forward Cali Triggs, who made history last season by scoring the second-fastest goal in Lobo history.
New Branding
SFA Soccer has introduced new branding on social media and warmup gear, featuring 17 stars to represent each time the team has won either a regular season or tournament title in program history. The Ladyjacks use this as a reminder to aim for their 18th title this season.
Coaching Staff Update
This offseason, SFA added one new coach to its staff, though she is no stranger to the program. Former Ladyjack goalkeeper Makenna Garcia was named an assistant coach and will serve as the Ladyjacks' goalkeepers coach for the 2026 season.
Garcia stated, "I am so excited and grateful to be given this opportunity to join the SFA women's soccer staff," Garcia said. "These are some of the best coaches and people I have had in my life and career as a soccer player, and I can't wait to join them in continuing to make this program one of the best in the nation. I have such a passion for soccer and goalkeeping — I am ready to get to work!"
FOLLOW THE LADYJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA soccer, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Ladyjacks on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
THE JACKS HAVE GONE MOBILE
SFA Athletics' newest mobile phone application is designed to bring Lumberjack fans closer to the action than ever before. Available now on both the App Store and Google Play, the new SFA Athletics app delivers schedules, scores, rosters, news, ticket access, and exclusive content right to your phone. Fans can also receive push notifications, so they never miss a moment of the action. Download now: Official SFA Athletics App.
#AxeEm x #EarnThe90
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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