GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's soccer team will begin The Southern Conference (SoCon) slate at home on Thursday at UNCG Soccer Stadium hosting Western Carolina at 6:00 p.m.
 
The Spartans and Catamounts battled twice last season, as Western Carolina won both contests. In Cullowhee during the regular season, Western Carolina won 4-2, before taking a 4-3 overtime win over the Spartans at Catamount Athletic Complex. The Catamounts have won the last four matchups, as the Spartans secured a 0-0 tie and a 2-1 win in 2023.
 
The Spartans will then travel to Lexington, Virginia, to face VMI on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Patchin Field.
 
VMI and UNCG faced each other twice last year with the Spartans claiming both victories. The Blue & Gold claimed a 4-0 victory during regular season play, before earning a 2-0 win in the first round of SoCon Tournament play. The last 11 contests have been won by the Spartans.
 

Game 9: UNC Greensboro (4-3-1, 0-0-0 SoCon) vs. Western Carolina (2-5-1, 0-0-0 SoCon)
Date	Thursday, Sept. 17
Time	6:00 p.m.
Location	Greensboro, N.C. (UNCG Soccer Stadium)
Tickets	Free admission for all regular season home games
Promotions	First 100 UNCG students will be able to tie dye a free shirt! Professor Appreciation Food Truck in Attendance
Coverage	Live Stats: Click here | Video: ESPN+
Social Media	Twitter: @UNCGWSoccer | Instagram: @UNCGWSoccer | Facebook: UNCGWomenSoccer

 

Game 10: UNC Greensboro (4-3-1, 0-0-0 SoCon) at VMI (0-8-1, 0-0-0 SoCon)
Date	Sunday, Sept. 20
Time	2:00 p.m.
Location	Lexington, Va. (Patchin Field)
Coverage	Live Stats: Click here | Video: ESPN+
Social Media	Twitter: @UNCGWSoccer | Instagram: @UNCGWSoccer | Facebook: UNCGWomenSoccer

ABOUT THE SPARTANS

• The Spartans concluded the 2025 season 4-12-3 overall and 2-4-3 in SoCon.
• The Blue & Gold tallied five shutouts and scored 22 goals, which is the most since the 2022 season.
• The Spartans were voted to finish seventh in the 2026 SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll, earning 43 points.
• Senior midfielder Rina Ogimoto was named to the 2026 SoCon Preseason All-Conference Team.
• The Spartans began the 2026 season with two exhibitions, including at Virginia Tech and at Davidson.
• Ogimoto started in all 19 games last season for the Blue & Gold with a total of 1,465 minutes. She notched a team-best six goals and 14 points, along with two assists, during the 2025 campaign.
• The Spartans added nine newcomers to a roster of 18 returners.
• Sophomore Laney Smith is leading the Spartans' offense with nine points (3G, 3A).
• Classmate Madison Bass is second on the team with five points (2G, 1A).
• Freshman Summer Kaufman is second with two helpers.  
• Freshman goalkeeper Blythe Clark has started and played in 675 minutes to start the season, totaling 31 saves and allowing 13 goals.
• Clark is ranked second in the SoCon in saves (31), and third in goalkeeper minutes played (675) and saves per game (3.88).
• The Spartans opened 2026 with a 1-0 victory over Triad rival High Point, marking their first season-opening win since 2023.
• UNCG claimed its second shutout of the season in a 3-0 win over Radford at home on Aug. 30.

ABOUT THE CATAMOUNTS

• Western Carolina concluded the 2025 season 10-6-4 overall and 5-2-2 in the SoCon. The Catamounts fell to Mercer in a SoCon Semifinal matchup.
• Western Carolina was voted to finish fourth in the 2026 Preseason Coaches' Poll, while Mary Mueth was voted to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
• The Catamounts' two wins include a 4-2 victory over Winthrop to open the season and then a 1-0 shutout over West Georgia in early September.
• Gabriela Vantrano is pacing the Catamounts with two goals and four points.
• Malia Roberts is second on the team with one goal and one assist for three points.
• Amara Yetka has seen the most time in net, giving up 11 goals with 31 saves.

ABOUT THE KEYDETS

• VMI concluded the 2025 season 2-7-1 overall and 0-9 in the SoCon.
• VMI was voted to finish 11^th in the 2026 SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• The Keydets will travel to Charleston, South Carolina, to face The Citadel, before hosting the Spartans.
• VMI's lone tie was a 1-1 draw against Gardner-Webb.
• Nixon Carpenter, Jordan Davis and Jaleesa Eichel each have scored one goal this season.
• In net, Maren Ryberg has started and played in nine games this season, has given up 21 goals and recorded 63 saves.

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UP NEXT
The Spartans will face The Citadel next week on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 4:00 p.m. in Charleston, South Carolina, at the Washington Light Infantry Field.