DALLAS – Conference USA women’s soccer kicks off the 2025 regular season on Thursday, August 14, with 12 teams vying for the league crown. Here’s a team-by-team look at the season ahead:
 
DELAWARE
Head Coach: Kelly Lawrence (Third season; 11-12-14 at UD)
2024 Record: 6-7-6, 4-2-4 CAA
Roster: Starters returning (6)/Starters lost (7)
Key Returners: Olivia Bley (CAA Rookie Team); Brooke Vogel (CAA Rookie Team); Gabby Riley (Led team with four assists), Maggie Groh (Tied for team-lead in goals with three)
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 vs. Mount St. Mary’s (Md.); CUSA opener on 9/21 vs. FIU
 
The Blue Hens embark on their inaugural season in Conference USA under third-year head coach Kelly Lawrence. Delaware brings back a strong young core, including Olivia Bley and Brooke Vogel, along with Gabby Riley and Maggie Groh, who tied for the team lead in goals last year. The Blue Hens aim to make an immediate impact after a 6-7-6 campaign in 2024.
 
FIU
Head Coach: Mat Dunn (First season; 245-42-17 at Keiser)
2024 Record: 13-5-2, 6-1-2 CUSA (Tournament Champs)
Roster: Starters returning (3)/Starters lost (7) – 14 newcomers
Key Returners: Valery Restrepo (All-CUSA Second Team GK); Zora Jackson (All-CUSA Second Team Defender), Brealyn Viamille (Sr. Forward)
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/17 at No. 3 Florida State; CUSA opener on 9/21 at Delaware
 
The defending CUSA tournament champions look to build upon their historic season in 2024 with first year head coach Mat Dunn. Dunn is a two-time NAIA National Champion and two-time NAIA Coach of the Year at Keiser University. 14 players return as 14 players were brought in, including the 2024 NAIA Player of the Year, Jayden Boelter.
 
JAX STATE
Head Coach: Corey Smith (First season; 3-9-5 at Birmingham-Southern)
2024 Record: 8-9-2, 3-4-2 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (2)/Starters lost (9) – Nine newcomers
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 at West Georgia; CUSA opener on 9/21 at MTSU
 
The Gamecocks begin a new era in 2025 under first-year head coach Corey Smith, who grew up just 40 miles from campus. With only two returning starters and nine newcomers, Smith brings fresh energy as he looks to put a stamp on the Jax State program.
 
KENNESAW STATE
Head Coach: Chris Cahill (Second season; 3-10-4 at KSU)
2024 Record: 3-10-4, 2-4-3 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (5)/Starters lost (5) – Seven newcomers
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 at Coastal Carolina; CUSA opener on 9/21 at WKU
 
The Owls enter year two under head coach Chris Cahill looking to take a step forward after a tough first season in CUSA. The Kennesaw State program will see plenty of fresh faces going into 2025 and hope to make some noise with this new look squad.
 
LIBERTY
Head Coach: Lang Wedemeyer (Ninth season; 89-46-20 at LU)
2024 Record: 15-2-4, 6-1-2 CUSA (Co-Regular Season Champs)
Roster: Starters returning (11)/Starters lost (0) – Six newcomers
Key Returners: Halle Engle, Ivy Garner, Lauren Littleton, Sallie Garner, Kayla Magee (Four of the five listed were All-CUSA First Team in 2024)
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 at East Carolina; CUSA opener on 9/21 vs. Missouri State
 
Liberty returns every starter from a regular season championship squad, bringing back one of the most experienced lineups in the nation. Ainsley Leja returns for the Flames in net as she missed last season with an injury. With multiple All-CUSA First Team players in the fold, the Flames are poised for another run at league supremacy.
 
LOUISIANA TECH
Head Coach: Steve Voltz (Fifth season; 21-38-14)
2024 Record: 2-10-5, 0-7-2 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (4)/Starters lost (8) – 13 newcomers
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 vs. Alabama; CUSA opener on 9/19 vs. UTEP
 
Louisiana Tech ushers in a major roster overhaul after a difficult 2024 campaign. With 13 newcomers joining the squad, the Bulldogs will look to develop chemistry quickly and reverse last year’s fortunes.
 
MTSU
Head Coach: Aston Rhoden (24^th season; 214-179-42 at MTSU)
2024 Record: 8-10-1, 5-4 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (7)/Starters lost (5) – 14 newcomers
Key Returners: Demi Gronauer (2024 All-Tournament Team), Idun Kvaale (All-CUSA Third Team), Emma Petterson, Sadie Starbenz
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 at Belmont; CUSA opener on 9/21 vs. Jax State
 
The Blue Raiders return a solid veteran core led by Gronauer and Kvaale, while also welcoming a large incoming class. Head coach Aston Rhoden’s experienced hand will be key in molding this group into a contender.
 
MISSOURI STATE
Head Coach: Kirk Nelson (Fourth season, 37-14-10 at MSU)
2024 Record: 13-5-3, 9-0-1 MVC
Roster: Starters returning (6)/Starters lost (5) – 12 newcomers
Key Returners: Julia Kristensen (MVC PoY); Reilly Heman; Maddie Schneiderhahn
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 at Kansas; CUSA opener on 9/19 at Liberty
 
The Bears enter CUSA fresh off an unbeaten conference run in the MVC, led by league Player of the Year Julia Kristensen. Missouri State will look to prove their success translates against new competition as the coaches predict the Bears to finish third in CUSA in 2025.
 
NM STATE
Head Coach: Rob Baarts (Eighth season, 54-68-13 at NMSU)
2024 Record: 11-6-3, 5-2-2 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (4)/ Starters lost (3) – 10 newcomers
Key Returners: Meredith Scott, Valerie Guha, Marlee Cavitt, Ariana Ellison, Ariana Leamons
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 vs. Colorado College; CUSA opener on 9/20 vs. Sam Houston
 
NM State brings back key offensive weapons while integrating 10 newcomers into the fold. With head coach Rob Baarts entering his eighth season, the Aggies aim to make a strong postseason push. NM State built a strong non-conference schedule yet again to gear them for a tough CUSA schedule.
 
SAM HOUSTON
Head Coach: Kendall Ayers (First season at SHSU)
2024 Record: 8-7-3, 5-4 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (8)/Starters lost (5)
Key Returners: Jasmine Marquez (Preseason All-CUSA), Indigo Sims, Andrea Nugent, Pam Murray
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 at Stephen F. Austin; CUSA opener on 9/20 at NM State
 
The Bearkats return the bulk of their starting lineup under new leadership from Kendall Ayers. With strong individual talent already in place, SHSU will look to maintain and build on last year’s winning conference record.
 
UTEP
Head Coach: Gibbs Keeton (Third season, 7-19-8 at UTEP)
2024 Record: 5-8-4, 2-5-2 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (6)/Starters lost (4) – 15 newcomers
Key Returners: Ashlyn Neireiter (Preseason All-CUSA), Ana Quintero, Mina Rodriguez
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 vs. Abilene Christian; CUSA opener on 9/19 at LA Tech
 
UTEP pairs a solid returning core with a massive incoming class in 2025. The Miners will aim to turn that roster depth into improved results in conference play.
 
WKU
Head Coach: Jason Neidell (25^th season, 236-154-58 at WKU)
2024 Record: 3-8-5, 1-3-5 CUSA
Roster: Starters returning (6)/Starters lost (6) – 11 newcomers
Key Returners: Maddie Davis (2024 CUSA GK of the Year), Abby Wiedermann (CUSA All-Freshman Team)
Schedule Overview: Season opener on 8/14 at Ohio; CUSA opener on 9/21 vs. Kennesaw State
 
WKU looks to rebound in 2025 with a blend of experienced leaders and new talent. Anchored by standout goalkeeper Maddie Davis, the Hilltoppers hope to climb back into contention.