CLEVELAND, Ga. (August 17, 2022) – The Truett McConnell University women's soccer team is set to begin their 2022 season Thursday, where they will host No. 10 University of the Cumberlands, inside the TMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex. According to the Appalachian Athletic Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll, the Lady Bears are sitting at No. 2, five points behind No. 1 Reinhardt University.

TMU had a dominating 2021 season, earning the title of AAC Regular Season Runner-Ups and Tournament Runner-Ups, with a record of 13-1 in conference play, featuring a nine-game win streak. The Lady Bears received their fourth consecutive ticket to the NAIA National Championships Opening Round, where they upset No. 2 Campbellsville University in game one of the Spring Arbor bracket to advance to the championship game for the first time in TMU history. A 1-2 loss in overtime to No. 1 Spring Arbor University concluded the 2021-2022 season with an overall record of 19-4.

"We are excited for our season opener against top NAIA competitor No. 10 University of the Cumberlands," said Head Coach David McDowell. "We have a strong core of returners, including six seniors and two graduate students that have been key leaders in preseason training, along with a few freshmen that have added to the competitive environment we have in our program. The preseason had shown us things that we need to work on, but has also shown us that we have a strong group of girls that are working together and are excited to get the season started."

The Lady Bears will be returning junior Eliska Dvorakova, the AAC Offensive Player of the Year and NAIA All-American, who also earned a spot on the All-Conference First Team, along with AAC First team member, senior Lauren Bergevine. Graduate Student Sydney League and sophomore Ella Weir, who both individually collected a spot on the All-Conference Second Team, are amongst the core group of returners for TMU.

The Lady Bears season opener is set for Thursday, August 18, with kickoff at 3:00 p.m., inside the TMU Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.

Keep up with the Lady Bears throughout the 2022 season here on tmbears.com and follow us on Facebook (@TMUBears), Instagram (@TMUBears) and Twitter (@TMUBears).