MURFREESBORO, N.C. – Chowan Women's Soccer enters the 2026 season with a number of newcomers joining the roster following the graduation of nine seniors from last year's squad. Despite several new faces joining the program, the Hawks look to build on last season and remain a strong contender in Conference Carolinas under Head Coach Fernando Zuniga.

Zuniga will once again be joined on the sidelines by graduate assistants Rich Dearl and Rachel Stetson, who return to assist with the program and provide continuity for a roster that will feature a mix of returning experience and new talent.

Chowan concluded the 2025 campaign with a 7-9-1 overall record and a 7-5-1 mark in Conference Carolinas play, making an appearance in the first round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament. With a new season ahead, Chowan will look to build chemistry early and position themselves for another postseason run in Conference Carolinas.
 

2026 Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll

The Conference office released the 2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll on Wednesday afternoon, with the Hawks projected to finish fifth among the league's 16 member institutions.

Francis Marion University, the 2025 Conference Carolinas Tournament runner-up, was selected atop the preseason poll, while defending tournament champion Belmont Abbey College was picked second.

The Patriots have won the Conference Carolinas East Division in each of the last two seasons and captured the tournament championship in 2024 before finishing as the runner-up in 2025. Francis Marion received 220 points and 10 first-place votes to claim the top spot in the poll.

Belmont Abbey, the 2025 Northwest Division champion, received five first-place votes and 204 points to secure second place. UNC Pembroke followed in third with 192 points, while 2025 Southwest Division champion Young Harris College was selected fourth with 166 points. Chowan rounded out the top five with 145 points.

Converse University was picked sixth with 142 points, followed closely by Lees-McRae College in seventh with 141 points. North Greenville University was selected eighth with 118 points, while Emmanuel University received 115 points and the final first-place vote to place ninth. Ferrum College rounded out the top 10 with 99 points.

The University of Mount Olive (88), Southern Wesleyan University (86), Barton College (82), King University (58), Erskine College (40) and Shorter University (24) completed the preseason poll.

The preseason poll was voted on by the league's head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own institutions.

	School	Points (1st Place)
1	Francis Marion	220 (10)
2	Belmont Abbey	204 (5)
3	UNC Pembroke	192
4	Young Harris	166
5	Chowan	145
6	Converse	142
7	Lees-McRae	141
8	North Greenville	118
9	Emmanuel	115 (1)
10	Ferrum	99
11	Mount Olive	88
12	Southern Wesleyan	86
13	Barton	82
14	King	58
15	Erskine	40
16	Shorter	24

2026 Conference Carolinas Players to Watch

Each Conference Carolinas institution selects three Players to Watch ahead of the upcoming season. Representing Chowan on the 2026 list are Laura Hulme, Kylee Smith and Riley Donnelly.

Laura Hulme enters her fourth season with the Chowan Women's Soccer program. The Huddersfield, England native returns as an experienced presence in the midfield after earning Third Team All-Conference honors in 2025. With three seasons of experience under her belt, Hulme returns as an established presence in the midfield and will look to continue making an impact for the Hawks on both ends of the field.

Kylee Smith enters her third season with the Hawks after establishing herself as a strong presence in goal. During her sophomore campaign, Smith recorded 75 saves while allowing just nine goals and posting six shutouts. Now with two seasons of collegiate experience, Smith returns as a key piece of the Chowan defense and will look to continue providing stability for the Hawks in goal.

Riley Donnelly enters her second season with Chowan after making an immediate impact during her first year with the Hawks as a transfer. The forward started all 17 matches and finished the season with five goals and two assists for 12 total points. After establishing herself as an offensive threat last season, Donnelly will look to build on that production and remain a key part of the Hawks' attack in 2026.

 

Chowan

• Laura Hulme, Sr., M, Huddersfield, England (2025 All-Conference Carolinas third team)

• Kylee Smith, Jr. ., GK, Virginia Beach, Virginia (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)

• Riley Donnelly, Jr., F, Jacksonville, North Carolina

Barton

• Dot Tieszen, Sr., F, Anchorage, Alaska

• Lilly Moss, Sr., D/M, Prairieville, Louisiana

• Olivia Terranova, Fr., GK, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Belmont Abbey

• Jadyn Radestock, Sr., D, San Diego, California (2025 All-Conference Carolinas first team, United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region third team)

• Haley Long, Sr., F, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Three-time All-Conference Carolinas selection)

• Maris Toppin, Jr., D, Carolina Beach, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)

Converse

• McKenzie Bundy, Sr., M, Lancaster, South Carolina

• Kathryn Hoffman, So., F, Punta Gorda, Florida

• Sam Quillen, Jr., M, Fountain Inn, South Carolina

Emmanuel

• Jimena Rivera, Sr., M, Visalia, California

• Sophie Valeruz, Jr., F, Lawrenceville, Georgia

• Emma Hanley, Jr., M, Carnesville, Georgia

Erskine

• Valentina Santana, Jr., GK, Miami, Florida

• Hannah DeVincent, So., F, Eldersburg, Maryland

• Soleil St. Hill, Fr., F, Miramar, Florida

Ferrum

• Bre Herlihy, Jr., M, Frankfort, Illinois

• Summer Stevens, So., M, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

• Jessie Howison, Sr., M, Indian Land, South Carolina

Francis Marion

• Tehya Dave', Gr., F, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2025 United Soccer Coaches All-America first team, 2025 United Soccer Coaches and D2 CCA All-Southeast Region first team, 2025 Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year, all-conference first team and Conference Carolinas All-Tournament, 2024 D2 CCA All-Southeast Region second team, 2024 All-Conference Carolinas first team)

• Alana Hunt, Jr., D, Swindon, England (2025 United Soccer Coaches and D2 CCA All-America second team, 2025 United Soccer Coaches and D2 CCA All-Southeast Region first team, 2025 Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year and all-conference first team, 2024 All-Conference Carolinas third team)

• Erin Grabeel, Sr., GK, Gordonsville, Virginia (2025 United Soccer Coaches All-America first team, 2025 United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region first team, 2025 D2 CCA All-Southeast Region second team, 2025 All-Conference Carolinas first team, 2024 All-Conference Carolinas third team, 2024 Conference Carolinas All-Tournament)

King

• Ella Froehlich, Sr., F, Sunbury, Ohio

• Tori Thauer, Grad., D, Grand Island, New York

• Mackenzie Simmons, So., D, Moorpark, California

Lees-McRae

• Brooke Allen, Gr., M, Wilmington, North Carolina

• Addy Geiss, Jr., M, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina

• Aubrey Tansey, So., F, Cape Coral, Florida

Mount Olive

• Charlotte Benson, Jr., M, Spring Hope, North Carolina

• Yanelli Sanchez, Sr., F, Garner, North Carolina

• Anais Coyne, Sr., GK, Mansfield, Texas

UNC Pembroke

• Addison Ellsworth, So., GK, Greensboro, North Carolina

• Aubrianna Martin, So., D, Jacksonville, North Carolina

• Key'Patra Morgan, Jr., D, Garner, North Carolina

North Greenville

• Jaycee Watkins, Sr., D, Bakersfield, California

• Finley Lloyd, Sr., M, Monument, Colorado

• Ana Maria Pinzon, Jr., F, Medellín, Colombia (All-CAAC second team)

Shorter

• Evann Yake, Sr., M, Indian Head, Maryland

• Gianna Estavillo, So., F, Tucson, Arizona

• Karis Eccleston, Sr., GK, Roswell, Georgia

Southern Wesleyan

• Ester Carabano, Fr., GK, Valencia, Spain

• Lucia Fernandez, Fr., M, Valladolid, Spain

• Karina Pashkovets, Sr., D, Dacula, Georgia (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team, 2024 All-Conference Carolinas second team, 2023 All-Conference Carolinas third team)

Young Harris

• Charlotte Brown, Sr., M, Beaverton, Oregon

• Kennedy Blake, So., M, Johns Creek, Georgia

• Faith Niebrugge, Sr., F, Mattoon, Illinois
   

The 2026 Season

Chowan Women's Soccer will open the 2026 season on August 27 as the Hawks travel to Hartsville, South Carolina, to take on Coker University. Following the season opener, Chowan returns to Murfreesboro for a four-game homestand beginning September 2 against USC Beaufort.

The Hawks will open Conference Carolinas play at home on September 12, welcoming Erskine College for Alumni Day. Chowan will then face Barton College on September 16 before hitting the road to take on Shorter University on September 19.

September 23 will mark the Hawks' first meeting of the season with the University of Mount Olive before Chowan travels to Bristol, Tennessee, to face King University on September 26. The month concludes on September 30 with a road contest against UNC Pembroke.

October opens at home against Ferrum College on October 3 before the Hawks travel to Wilson, North Carolina, for their second meeting of the season with Barton on October 6. Chowan will then step out of conference play to host Virginia State University on October 10 for Senior Day.

The Hawks return to the road on October 14 to face Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina, before returning home three days later for a Homecoming matchup against UNC Pembroke on October 17 in the evening. Chowan will close out the regular season on the road with rematches against Mount Olive on October 20 and Ferrum on October 24.

The 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Championship is scheduled to begin with preliminary-round action on October 28 and 31. The tournament will then shift to the Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park in Browns Summit, North Carolina, for the semifinals and championship match on November 5 and 7.

With a mix of experienced returners and new talent, the Hawks enter the 2026 campaign looking to navigate a competitive Conference Carolinas schedule and put themselves in position for another postseason appearance.