App State Soccer kicks off its 2026 season at home against UNCW on Thursday at 6 p.m. The first 50 fans will receive a branded water bottle and food from Taqueria La Monarca will be available. Returning 19 players, including top goal scorer Ellie Garrison and defensive stalwart Maddie Williams, the Mountaineers aim to build on last season's success. They finished 7-7-3 last year and secured their first win against an ACC team. UNCW, fresh off a record-season, presents a tough challenge as the reigning CAA regular season champions.

By the Numbers
  • App State returns 19 players and adds six freshmen and three transfers.
  • UNCW finished 11-3-4 last season, with a 7-0-2 conference record.
Yes, But

While App State has a strong returning roster, they were picked eighth in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll, indicating challenges ahead. UNCW's success last season poses a significant hurdle as they maintain a solid foundation.

State of Play
  • App State has a mixed record against UNCW, losing the last match-up in 2017.
  • The team hopes to recapture home-field advantage after a strong previous season.
What's Next

Following the season opener against UNCW, App State will travel to Campbell on Sunday at 5 p.m. to continue building their momentum early in the season.

Bottom Line

App State Soccer aims to leverage their returning talent and a strong home-crowd to kickstart a successful 2026 campaign, navigating a challenging schedule against formidable opponents.