LONGVIEW, Texas -- With a new regime in tow, several new faces, and a brand new conference, LeTourneau women's soccer looks to make an impression during the 2025 campaign.
First year head coach Karrigan Falber, along with assistant coaches Nicole Graubard and Callie McKinney, lead the YellowJackets in 2025 as they open the season with a matchup against Central Baptist in Conway, Ark.
Eight new players have entered the fray for LeTourneau, and a new conference awaits them as well, as the YellowJackets compete in the SCAC (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) for the first time in program history.
THE ROSTER
Experience and energy are the mantras for the YellowJackets as they return nine seniors, five juniors, and four sophomores.
Senior keeper Kelauna Cruz returns in 2025 to bring veteran savvy between the pipes. Her 92 saves in 2024 was the highest total of her career, and she tallied a career-best 12 saves against Hardin-Simmons in September.
Lineup mainstays Clarissa Martinez, Michelle Olivas, and All-ASC honorable mention Shelby Smith also return in 2025 for their senior campaigns. Martinez started all 18 matches last season and played a team-high 1616 minutes on the defensive end, while Olivas and Smith bring the scoring punch at the forward spots.
Abi King, another experienced netminder, comes back for her senior season after stopping 21 shots in 2024. Key reserves Terra Tucker, Camila Andrade, Brandy Moran, and Zoe Harbison complete the senior class for the Jackets.
Highlighting the junior class is Chanel Kemball-Cook, who scored six goals last season for LeTourneau, ranking eighth in the ASC in that category. Also returning from last season's sophomore class are Natalie Alvarado, Allison McClanahan, Kyleigh Chavez, and Kathy Villareal, experienced in their roles and looking to make an impact as veteran leaders.
Among the 2025 sophomores is All-ASC second team honoree Sarah Wyatt, who brings blazing speed and untapped potential up front to help the goal creation and scoring efforts. Defenders Jaye Dugan and Sophia Merjil also look to continue their ascent after gaining valuable minutes in last season's action. Heather Shaw and Cheyenne Whyle complete the returning sophomore class for the YellowJackets.
Rounding out the roster are seven freshmen: goalkeeper Kinsey Fulks, forward Reagan Parks, midfielders Avery Gortney, Lana Whiteman, and Darby Perry, and defenders Saige West and Malaika Barlow.
SCAC OUTLOOK
LeTourneau was picked ninth in the preseason SCAC poll, garnering 36 points in the voting process. Texas Lutheran was picked first with nine of 11 first-place votes, while Concordia Texas landed second with the other two first-place votes.
THE SCHEDULE
For the first time in program history, LeTourneau will compete in a new conference. The YellowJackets enter their first season as a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).
The season opener is set for Aug. 30 at Central Baptist in Conway, Ark. It will be the fourth all-time meeting between LeTourneau and the NAIA member Central Baptist, and the first since 2014. The season-opening road trip continues at Belhaven on Sept. 3.
The home opener is slated for Sept. 6 against Millsaps. That match is one of nine at the Joyce Family Athletic Village on the year and is also part of a three-match homestand from Sept. 6-13. LeTourneau also faces Wiley (Sept. 9) and LaGrange (Sept. 13).
The Wiley and LaGrange matches will be the first-ever meetings with those programs.
LeTourneau faces old ASC foe Howard Payne in Brownwood, Texas, on Sept. 16 before returning home for three more matches from Sept. 20-26. That stretch begins with MUW on Sept. 20 before the SCAC opener on Sept. 26 vs. Concordia Texas followed by a tilt with Texas Lutheran on Sept. 28.
LeTourneau will also face SCAC foes Centenary (Oct. 10), St. Thomas (Oct. 12), and Dallas (Oct. 17) at home in conference play.
Road conference matches include: Schreiner (Oct. 3), McMurry (Oct. 5), Ozarks (Oct. 24), Hendrix (Oct. 26), and Austin College (Nov. 1).
The SCAC Tournament begins on Nov. 6 in Round Rock, Texas. The top six teams qualify for the tournament.
The SCAC consists of 12 members in 2025-26: Austin College, Centenary College of Louisiana, Colorado College, Concordia Texas, University of Dallas, Hendrix College, LeTourneau University, McMurry University, University of the Ozarks, Schreiner University, University of St. Thomas, and Texas Lutheran University.
FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS
Be sure to follow LeTourneau athletics all season long on letuathletics.com and social media at Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news, and other information.
