LONGVIEW, Texas – Following a season that featured one of the biggest turnarounds in the nation, LeTourneau women's soccer aims to keep that momentum heading into the 2026 campaign.

A year ago, the YellowJackets posted an 8-7-2 record, the program's first winning season since 2019. 2026 marks the second year of the Karrigan Falber regime, as well as the team's second year in the SCAC (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference).

The YellowJackets kick off the season at home on Thursday against Howard Payne (5:00 p.m.). 

THE ROSTER

A hefty amount of talent returns to the 2026 squad, as the YellowJackets bring back five of their six 2025 SCAC award winners. Holding down the defensive fort in goal is sophomore Kinsey Fulks. The keeper brought home a handful of hardware in her first year, including SCAC First-Year Player of the Year, an All-SCAC honorable mention selection, a member of the SCAC All-Freshman team, as well as two SCAC Defensive Player of the Week selections. Fulks collected six shutouts on the year while tallying 64 saves, ranking second in the league.

Senior forward Chanel Kemball-Cook enters her final season sitting sixth on the program's all-time goals list with 26 scores. Kemball-Cook led the SCAC in goals last season with nine, while taking home All-SCAC second team honors. 

Lana Whiteman and Sarah Wyatt each return three goals and three assists from a year ago, as well as All-SCAC honorable mention selections. Whiteman did not fly under the radar, either, adding an SCAC All-Freshman team selection.

Reagan Parks, an SCAC All-Freshman team member in 2026, was second on the squad in goals with four. Natalie Alvarado rounds out the YellowJackets returning goal scorers.

Jaye Dugan and Avery Gortney return to a backline that broke a number of records a season ago, accounting for over 1,100 minutes played. 

"I'm really excited about this group and the opportunity in front of us. We have a great mix of experience and new energy, but more than anything, I'm excited to see who we become together," Falber mentioned regarding her squad. "Our focus is on continuing to raise our standard, competing with purpose, and becoming more connected in the way we play and the way we care for one another. If we stay committed to that process every day, I believe this group has the opportunity to do something special." 

Kyleigh Chavez, Allison McClanahan, Saige West, Malaika Barlow, Darby Perry, and Heather Shaw round out LeTourneau's returners.

LeTourneau added 11 new faces to the roster this season, including transfers Kennedy Gortney and Chloe Guzman, and freshmen Olivia Flores, Natalia Vallin, Diana Zavala, Angel Reyes, Reagan Allen, Sierra Kemball-Cook, and Presley McIrvin.

"This incoming class brings a lot of talent and versatility to our program, but what excites me most is who they are as people," Falber added. "We believe each of them brings something unique to our team, and we're excited to help them discover where they can make the greatest impact as they grow within our program."

With these new faces alongside the veterans that include seven returning starters, women's soccer is primed to make a push to new heights in 2026.

SCAC OUTLOOK

LeTourneau was selected sixth in the SCAC preseason coaches poll, tallying 36 total points. Reigning regular season champion Texas Lutheran sat atop the preseason poll with 79 points and seven of the nine first-place votes. Both St. Thomas and Concordia Texas received a first-place vote as well. 

THE SCHEDULE

The YellowJackets are slated for nine home matches at the Joyce Family Athletic Village, while the schedule features eight non-conference and eight SCAC matches.

LeTourneau opens the 2026 campaign on Sept. 3 with Howard Payne coming to Longview (5 p.m.). That match is one of two at home to begin the season as the YellowJackets welcome Wiley on Sept. 5.

LeTourneau then travels to Jackson, Miss., for a pair of matches the following weekend against Belhaven (Sept. 10) and Millsaps (Sept. 12). It will be the 11th meeting in the last 12 seasons against Belhaven, while LeTourneau will play Millsaps for a sixth straight year.

The YellowJackets return home for three of their next four matches. LeTourneau faced Texas College on Sept. 15 and then former conference foe Schreiner (Sept. 18). After a quick trip to Texas Wesleyan on Sept. 23, LeTourneau comes home to face Central Baptist for its Senior Day on Sept. 26. 

SCAC play begins on Oct. 2 at Texas Lutheran, followed by a trip to Concordia Texas on Oct. 4, and Hendrix on Oct. 9. LeTourneau will face Ozarks (Oct. 11) and finish the season with three straight at home against St. Thomas (Oct. 23), Centenary (Oct. 25), and Austin College (Oct. 30).

The SCAC Tournament is set for Nov. 5-8 in Round Rock, Texas, and will feature the top-six teams in the nine-team league.

SCHEDULE NOTES:

• LeTourneau will face non-NCAA Division III foes in Wiley and Central Baptist for a second straight year. The YellowJackets defeated both teams last season.
• The YellowJackets will face Texas Wesleyan for just the second time in program history. The teams' only other meeting came in 2013.
• All home games will be streamed on FloCollege (subscription required).

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.