KICKOFF –
The ULM soccer team (1-0-1) hits the road yet again, facing the North Texas Mean Green (0-1) for the second-straight season, the first in Denton since 2010. The Warhawks come off a commanding home win, defeating Alcorn State, 6-1.

SCOUTING THE MEAN GREEN – 
North Texas currently holds a 0-1 record in the opening week of play, falling to local opponent SMU, 2-0. The Mean Green are coming off a 6-10-4 record in 2025, missing the AAC Tournament. UNT did, however, welcome back multiple returners, including three recognized on the American Conference Preseason Watch List in Mia Bernard, Claire Niedermeier and goalkeeper Sarah Margaret Seabrook.

SERIES VS. NORTH TEXAS – 
This is the ninth meeting between the Mean Green and the Warhawks, the first meeting in Denton since 2010. The first meeting between the two teams was in 2006, ULM's first season in the Sun Belt. The Mean Green leads the series, 6-2, as ULM recorded its second win in the history last season, 1-0. The Warhawks has not defeated North Texas in Denton.

FIRST-YEAR FIRE –
Victoria Vinals opened the season with a goal in the 80th minute at Little Rock. Vinals is the first first-year player to open the season's scoring since 2018. Charli Harris then followed with a brace against Alcorn, making her the first first-year since 2022 to record a multi-goal game, the lone first-year in the Sun Belt Conference with multiple goals in the opening week of competition.

NOW AT THE HELM –
The Warhawks have welcomed a new head coach in the fold this season in Antony Blackburn. Blackburn arrives in Monroe from Baton Rouge, where he spent three seasons as an analyst and assistant coach for LSU. He brings a wealth of experience internationally as well, as the academy head coach for Valencia CF and Sunderland AFC in his career. Blackburn logged his first career win as head coach of the Warhawks on August 16 against Alcorn.

GUESS WHO'S BACK –
ULM soccer has welcomed 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).

#1 IN GOAL –
Jen Handy returns for a third season in goal for the Warhawks after earning the starting role in her first. Named to the All-Sun Belt Second Team in 2025, Handy currently holds multiple ULM records, including shutouts in a season (7, 2024). In her career, her 1.31 goals-against average ranks second all-time, as well as her wins (20) and shutouts (12). Five more shutouts in her career would hand her the single-season and all-time record.

LOOKING AHEAD –
The Warhawks will compete at Brown Stadium for another Sunday match, facing Jackson State at home. Kickoff on August 23 is slated for 1 p.m.