Saturday, August 15
Shreveport, La.
7 p.m.
Abilene Christian
vs
Jackson State
Photo by: Kevan Albright
ACU Kicks Off 2026 Season Saturday with Jackson State
8/14/2026 4:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Abilene Christian soccer team lifts the lid on its 2026 campaign with a neutral site match in Shreveport, La., against Jackson State on Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be played at Loyola College Prep's Messmer Stadium.
ACU is coming off a strong performance during a 0-0 draw in its home exhibition against Texas State, which made the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are entering year four with Stephen Salas as head coach. Salas guided ACU to the WAC Women's Soccer Tournament last fall -- the program's first conference tournament appearance since spring 2021.
"I really do feel this is the strongest and deepest this team's been," said Salas. "We did graduate nine seniors last year, which a lot of people see it as, 'Oh my goodness, that was tough,' but the players I have returning were a good core nucleus between our transfers and our newcomers, I really feel a lot will hit the ground running."
Twelve players return from 2025, including five regular starters: goalkeeper Bella Medrano, top-notch defenders Katy Gregson and Gracie Kelly, midfielder Baylie Simon and forward Shakira Kafero-Roberts. Medrano earned 2nd Team All-WAC and All-Freshman Team honors with 109 saves and three shutouts. Kafero-Roberts, a junior from London, England, scored two game-winning goals in 2025.
Saturday's opener begins an 18-game regular season schedule with 10 contests at Elmer Gray Stadium. After playing Jackson State, ACU returns for four consecutive home matches with New Mexico State (Aug. 20), UTEP (Aug. 23), Houston of the Big 12 (Aug. 27) and East Texas A&M (Aug. 30) all coming to Abilene.
The Wildcats will host Texas Southern in the nonconference finale, which will also serve as the team's Senior Day, on Sept. 20. The new-look United Athletic Conference features several fresh opponents for ACU with only Tarleton State holding over from the WAC. Rounding out the eight-team league are LIttle Rock, Central Arkansas, Austin Peay, North Alabama, Eastern Kentucky and West Georgia.
"I'm excited for the conference," said Salas. "It's always good to go to new places. I think the girls see this as an opportunity, and it doesn't matter if it is UAC, WAC or non-conference opponents, we're going to compete and give it our best and be confident in who we are."
The Wildcats have not lost a season-opening match since 2022 with victories in 2023 (1-0 at Lamar) and 2025 (1-0 at UTEP), and one tie in 2024 (0-0 vs. UTEP).
ACU is coming off a strong performance during a 0-0 draw in its home exhibition against Texas State, which made the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are entering year four with Stephen Salas as head coach. Salas guided ACU to the WAC Women's Soccer Tournament last fall -- the program's first conference tournament appearance since spring 2021.
"I really do feel this is the strongest and deepest this team's been," said Salas. "We did graduate nine seniors last year, which a lot of people see it as, 'Oh my goodness, that was tough,' but the players I have returning were a good core nucleus between our transfers and our newcomers, I really feel a lot will hit the ground running."
Twelve players return from 2025, including five regular starters: goalkeeper Bella Medrano, top-notch defenders Katy Gregson and Gracie Kelly, midfielder Baylie Simon and forward Shakira Kafero-Roberts. Medrano earned 2nd Team All-WAC and All-Freshman Team honors with 109 saves and three shutouts. Kafero-Roberts, a junior from London, England, scored two game-winning goals in 2025.
Saturday's opener begins an 18-game regular season schedule with 10 contests at Elmer Gray Stadium. After playing Jackson State, ACU returns for four consecutive home matches with New Mexico State (Aug. 20), UTEP (Aug. 23), Houston of the Big 12 (Aug. 27) and East Texas A&M (Aug. 30) all coming to Abilene.
The Wildcats will host Texas Southern in the nonconference finale, which will also serve as the team's Senior Day, on Sept. 20. The new-look United Athletic Conference features several fresh opponents for ACU with only Tarleton State holding over from the WAC. Rounding out the eight-team league are LIttle Rock, Central Arkansas, Austin Peay, North Alabama, Eastern Kentucky and West Georgia.
"I'm excited for the conference," said Salas. "It's always good to go to new places. I think the girls see this as an opportunity, and it doesn't matter if it is UAC, WAC or non-conference opponents, we're going to compete and give it our best and be confident in who we are."
The Wildcats have not lost a season-opening match since 2022 with victories in 2023 (1-0 at Lamar) and 2025 (1-0 at UTEP), and one tie in 2024 (0-0 vs. UTEP).
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerTuesday, August 04
Thursday, July 30
Wednesday, July 29
Wednesday, July 22
