MONROE, La. – The ULM soccer team (0-0-1) prepares for its home opener, facing Alcorn (0-1) on Sunday (Aug. 16) at 1 p.m. in Brown Stadium. The Warhawks look to capture their first win of the season after a 1-1 draw at Little Rock on August 13. The season-opening draw is the first since 2004 for ULM, the first nonconference tie since the 2023 season.

FOLLOW THE WARHAWKS –

While Sunday's match will not be available for streaming on ESPN+, live stats for the match will be available. Links to live stats and video streams for all matches, when available, can be found at ULMWarhawks.com. 

SCOUTING THE BRAVES –

The Braves opened the season at home against a different Louisiana opponent in McNeese, falling 1-2. Alcorn opens 2026 after a 5-8-4 record in 2025, predicted to finish fourth in the SWAC after returning 12 from last season. Annick Zouma was also recognized in the preseason as the SWAC Preseason Midfielder of the Year, after earning conference Midfielder of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. Larissa Joso Luma was named on the first team and Ainara Aldeano was recognized on the second, Luma scoring the lone goal on the scoresheet for the Braves. 

HOME SWEET HOME – 

The Warhawks play their first match at home in 2026 on Sunday, looking to continue an 10-game win streak at home, dating back to October 31, 2024. In home openers, ULM is 13-12-2, on a five-game streak in the first game at Brown Stadium.

SERIES VS. ALCORN STATE – 

This is the fifth meeting between Alcorn and ULM, the first meeting dating back to 2005. ULM is unbeaten against the Braves, with three victories and a draw in the history. Most recently, Alcorn held the Warhawks to a draw in 2022, 2-2, in Mississippi.

FRESHMAN FIRE –

Victoria Vinals opened the season with a goal in the 80th minute at Little Rock. It was her first goal in her collegiate career and the first of the season for ULM. Vinals is the first freshman to open the season's scoring since 2018.

GUESS WHO'S BACK –

ULM soccer has brought back 11 players from the 2025 roster for another season, including two 2025 all-conference honorees. Four fifth-years make the return in Giulia Franco, Ines de Lope Casanova, Lucia Gomez and Bernadett Stefan, Stefan returning from injury after missing the 2025 season. The lone fourth year to return is Stacey Qosja, who recorded an assist last season. Both all-conference returners returning are in their third season, in goalkeeper Jen Handy and defender Beth Strutton. Anna Roldaan, Amy Sharkey, Maria Thania Gealon and Rylee Methvin also return for second years in Monroe.

NEW ON THE BAYOU–

Coach Antony Blackburn has brought in 13 newcomers for the 2026 season. Nine true freshmen enter the ring in defender Teresa Jacobsen, defender Maria Torres, midfielder Georgie Knott, defender Sophie Alderman, defender Luena Ferreira, forward Charli Harris, forward Angela Moreno, defender Taylor O'Rear, defender Kelly Rodman and midfielder Victoria Vinals. Transfers are welcomed to Monroe in forward Jade Bowé (Texas State), goalkeeper Maria Heuman (Alcorn State) and midfielder Jenni Huttunen (Franklin Pierce).

LOOKING AHEAD –

The Warhawks will hit the road for another nonconference match on Thursday (Aug. 20), facing North Texas in Denton at 7 p.m.