CLINTON, Miss. — The Mississippi Christian University women's soccer team opens the 2026 season Thursday, hosting Emmanuel University at Robert P. Longabaugh Field.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
The Lady Choctaws enter the season picked fifth in the Gulf South Conference preseason coaches poll after receiving 86 points, just one point behind fourth-place Delta State. Lee was selected as the preseason favorite, followed by Montevallo and West Alabama.
Mississippi Christian returns a strong mix of experience and newcomers as it looks to make its move in the GSC standings. Senior forward Paula Catalan returns after a productive 2025 campaign in which she recorded three goals and two assists in 18 appearances.
Junior forward Jaylen Bodry also returns after scoring one goal and adding one assist last season, while senior midfielder Summer Utzig contributed one goal and two assists. Senior midfielder Olivia Graham and senior midfielder Amanda McFarlin also return to provide experience in the midfield.
The Lady Choctaws also bring back junior defender Faith Clark, who appeared in five matches last season, along with junior defenders Brinnslee Picard and Aidyn Hagan. Picard appeared in 16 matches with 15 starts in 2025, while Hagan made 14 appearances with six starts.
Mississippi Christian also adds several newcomers who could make an immediate impact. Junior midfielder Lillie Grace McCutchen and junior forward Kerri Ann O'Hara were both named to the GSC Newcomers to Watch list.
McCutchen, an Oxford, Mississippi, native, joins the Lady Choctaws after playing at Northwest Mississippi Community College, while O'Hara comes to Clinton after playing at Hinds Community College.
The Lady Choctaws also welcome freshmen Paityn Settlemires, Michelle Melancon, Jadyn Lo Bue-Holzer, Arin Hawk, Gianna Thornton, Kali Trahant and Evelyn Nelson to the roster.
Emmanuel enters Thursday's season opener after going 6-7-4 overall and 6-4-3 in Conference Carolinas play in 2025. The Lions earned the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament after winning a share of their first Division title in program history.
Emmanuel was picked ninth in the 2026 Conference Carolinas preseason coaches poll and returns 14 players from last season while welcoming 11 newcomers under first-year head coach Ged O'Connor.
The Lions are led by several returning players, including senior midfielder Jimena Rivera, junior midfielder Emily Chavez and junior midfielder Emma Hanley, who were all named players to watch by Conference Carolinas.
Thursday's matchup marks the first meeting of the 2026 season for both teams and begins a five-game road stretch for Emmanuel.
For Mississippi Christian, the opener provides an opportunity to start the season at home and begin the pursuit of a spot among the GSC's top programs.
MATCH INFORMATION
Emmanuel at Mississippi Christian
Date: Thursday, Aug. 27
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Location: Robert P. Longabaugh Field | Clinton, Miss.
Live Stream: FloCollege
Live Stats: Mississippi Christian Live Stats
