CLEVELAND, Ga. – The 2026 Truett McConnell women's soccer season kicks off tomorrow afternoon with a 1 p.m. start time vs. SCAD-Savannah at the TMU Soccer Complex.
 
The Lady Bears end their preseason with two scrimmages at Life University (Aug. 7) and Georgia State (Aug. 16) in the books.
 
The team was recently ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Preseason Poll, its highest rank in program history. It will face a tough test right away as the Bees received votes in the poll. 
 
Since 2013, both programs have played each other only once, a 5-0 rout by SCAD in 2015 in Savannah. It's the first time the teams have met in Cleveland. The Bees, after a national championship win in 2024, produced a 9-6-4 campaign in 2025, losing in the semifinal round in the Sun Conference Tournament.
 
SCAD brings back sophomore midfielder Haidyn Jenkins, who was third on the team in total points with 13, including six goals in 19 games. It also returns goalkeeper Saga Bryntesson, who posted a .764 save percentage, allowing 17 goals on 72 total shots on goal.
 
Truett has claimed victory in two-straight season openers with a 1-0 win over Georgia Gwinnett in 2025 and a 6-0 win vs. Faulkner in 2024.
 
Isabella Hodson returns for the Lady Bears in 2026, being second in total points with 42 on the season, netting 17 goals. She, along with defender Erin Ward, were first-team all-conference members in 2025.
 
Out of the 43 total players on the team, 20 players return from the 2025 roster while a majority 23 players are newcomers.