Women's Soccer reveals Robust 2026 Schedule
MARSHALL, Texas – Wiley University's women's soccer team is set to face a challenging road in 2026 as it gears up for a deep postseason run. Announced on Monday, the upcoming slate features 10 regular-season matches, including seven home games at Pemberton Field and three contests against National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition.
Preseason Tune-Ups
The Lady Wildcats will kick off their preparations with three exhibition matches. They will host National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) opponents Ranger College on August 7 and Jacksonville College on August 15 at Pemberton Field, followed by a road trip to face NCAA Division III foe Centenary College of Louisiana on August 18.
Non-Conference & NCAA Clashes
Wiley officially opens the 2026 regular season on August 21 with a high-profile Historically Black Colleges and Universities showcase against NCAA Division I and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) program, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
The remainder of the non-conference schedule leans heavily into familiar rivalries from the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC), where the Lady Wildcats competed from 2012–2018:
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August 23 vs. Xavier University of Louisiana: The Gold Nuggets visit Marshall coming off an impressive 2025 campaign where they finished as RRAC regular-season runner-up, captured the RRAC Tournament Championship, and advanced to the second round of the NAIA National Championship.
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August 27 at University of St. Thomas-Houston: A premier road test against NCAA Division III competition. They competed against the Celts in the RRAC from 2014-18.
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September 4 vs. Texas College: East Texas rival and 2026 Home Opener
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September 5 at LeTourneau University: A local NCAA Division III clash in nearby Longview.
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September 10 vs. LSU-Alexandria: Wiley hosts the 2025 RRAC semifinalists.
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September 13 at Our Lady of the Lake University: The Lady Wildcats travel to San Antonio to face the Saints for the first time since 2018.
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September 19 vs. LSU-Shreveport: The defending RRAC regular-season champions and tournament runner-up visit Pemberton Field.
Conference Play & Postseason Push
HBCUAC play officially kicks off at home on October 2 with a highly anticipated conference semifinal rematch against Talladega College. The Lady Wildcats will also enjoy home-field advantage against league foes Oakwood University (October 4) and Jarvis Christian University (October 21).
Moving away from the divisional format used last year, the HBCUAC will feature a balanced schedule this season, with every team playing each other once. The top four teams in the standings will earn a berth to the 2026 HBCUAC Soccer Championship, scheduled for November 5–7 at Lee Hedges Stadium.
Outlook
Coming off a strong 9-6 campaign and a semifinal appearance in the conference tournament last year, expectations are high in Marshall. With nearly the entire roster expected to return for the second consecutive season, the veteran squad is primed for a breakthrough.
Broadcast Info: Fans can catch all the action live, as all home matches and HBCUAC conference games will be streamed on the Urban Edge Network.
About Wiley University Athletics
Wiley University sponsors 14 varsity sports, women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track and field, men's and women's outdoor track and field, softball, baseball and esports. It competes in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) and the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE). Men's and women's golf, men's and women's bass fishing and women's flag football are expected additions in 2027-28.
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