ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University women's soccer team opens the 2026 season this weekend at the Humboldt Kickoff Classic in Arcata, Calif., where the Wildcats will take on host Cal Poly Humboldt on Thursday, Aug. 27, before facing Stanislaus State on Saturday, Aug. 29.
INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Central Washington at Cal Poly Humboldt
3:00 p.m.
College Creek Field
Arcata, Calif.
WATCH
LIVE STATS
HISTORY
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Central Washington vs Stanislaus State
2:00 p.m.
College Creek Field
Arcata, Calif.
WATCH
LIVE STATS
HISTORY
THE WILDCATS:
Central enters the 2026 season looking to build on the foundation established during
John Hawks' first season as head coach. The Wildcats return much of their offensive production from a year ago, including leading scorer
Jaylee Reynolds, who tallied four goals and nine points as a freshman. Sophomores
Emma Barrett and
Sadie Schaefer, along with senior forwards
Cam Sheets and
Kelsey Fulton, headline an attack looking to build from the 2025 campaign.
On the defensive side, CWU returns a strong core that helped produce five shutouts last season. Fifth-year defender
Bella Green joins seniors
Lainee Derry and
Kendal Smith, juniors
Peyton Wilson and
Sydney Madison, and sophomore
Haley Engstrom to anchor the back line. In goal, senior
Danika Galbraith returns after posting a 1.33 goals-against average, 64 saves, and five shutouts in 11 starts, while junior
Leighton Menge provides additional experience between the posts.
The Wildcats also welcome a talented freshman class and a new face on the coaching staff in assistant coach
Hailey Still. A former standout at both Washington and Portland, Still finished her collegiate career with 18 goals and 38 points while earning CSC Academic All-District honors.
SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS:
Cal Poly Humboldt enters the 2026 season coming off one of the most successful campaigns in program history. Under sixth-year head coach Grant Landy, the Lumberjacks posted an 8-6-8 overall record and earned their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996 after capturing the 2025 CCAA Tournament championship. Humboldt defeated Cal State San Bernardino in penalty kicks, upset defending national champion Cal Poly Pomona in the semifinals, and edged Chico State 1-0 in the title match before falling 1-0 to Pomona in the NCAA Tournament.
The Lumberjacks return several key contributors from that squad, including leading scorer Alia Prentiss with three goals, top returning point producer Nicole Beauchemin with one goal and three assists, and goalkeeper Ari Beddoes, who posted a 0.50 goals-against average and .868 save percentage.
The Wildcats take on the Lumberjacks on Thursday, August 27. Kick-off from College Creek Field is set for 3:00 p.m.
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS:
Stanislaus State enters the 2026 season under new leadership with first-year head coach Adam James, who arrives from Azusa Pacific after helping guide the Cougars to the 2025 PacWest Championship and an NCAA Division II West Regional final appearance. The Warriors are coming off a successful 2025 campaign in which they posted a 10-5-4 record and advanced to the CCAA Tournament behind a balanced offense that scored 29 goals.
Stanislaus State returns several key contributors, including leading scorer Olivia Maragos with seven goals and 15 points, All-CCAA caliber forward Aliah Avila with five goals, seven assists, and 17 points, and veteran goalkeeper Zara Mujica, who recorded a 0.97 goals-against average, 68 saves, and six shutouts while helping the Warriors allow fewer than one goal per match.
The 'Cats and the Warriors hit the pitch on Saturday, August 29. Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m. from Arcata, Calif.
