WINONA, Minn. – A season of newness is in town for the Saint Mary's women's soccer team. A new roster, new coaches, and a new season. The 2026 Saint Mary's women's soccer team is less than a week away from gameday, and the excitement is rising!
"We're just trying to stack good days and games on top of each other, one day at a time," said head women's soccer coach Averi Cash.Â
Cash heads into her first full season at the helm after three successful seasons as the Cardinals assistant coach.
"If we consistently do that, we'll have a fun year."
The season debut is Tuesday, Sept. 1, against UW-Platteville in Platteville, Wis. The Cardinals will be on the road for their first two weeks of action, facing off against Monmouth College and Grinnell College before having their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12, hosting Wartburg at 1:00 p.m.
They will open conference play on the road at Augsburg on Wednesday, Sept. 16 for a late-night game at 7:30 p.m.Â
Over the past two seasons, the Cardinals have made it to the MIAC Playoffs and are looking to keep the streak going!
The team will close out nonconference action at home on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 2:00 p.m. against Dubuque and will close out the regular season at home against Bethel on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1:00 p.m. with senior day celebrations. The 2026 MIAC Playoffs will be at the highest-seeded institution, running from Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Saturday, Nov. 7.
The 2026 roster holds a record-high 42 amazing student-athletes, 17 of whom are incoming freshmen, who are ready to compete. The team lost a few key seniors last season, but there is plenty of talent returning. The team returns a majority of its strong backline this season, which will be a tough wall to get through.Â
Cash is excited about the group she gets to coach this season.
"I started when the seniors were freshman and being able to now lead them in their last year feels like an honor."
"This group is so much fun, and I can't wait to see what we've got on the field"
Watch out for the Cardinals this season!
