Williamsburg, KY – The University of the Cumberlands women's soccer team has announced its 2026 schedule, which features 15 regular-season matches and nine contests at the UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex. Head Coach Steve Hamilton and company will face eight teams that qualified for the 2025 NAIA National Tournament. 

"This year's schedule is similar to what we've done the in the past, which is play the best teams that we can," said Head Coach Steve Hamilton.  "The early challenges help prepare us for later in the season with strong conference play."
 
For the first time since 2023, Cumberlands opens the season with three consecutive home matches.  The Patriots begin the 2026 season against Milligan on Thursday, Aug. 20^th.  This marks the third straight year UC has squared off with the Buffaloes, earning a 1-0 road win last year.
 
UC remains home to welcome Union Commonwealth on Saturday, Aug. 22, before closing the season-opening homestand against eighth-ranked Truett McConnell on Thursday, Aug. 27.
 
Highlighting UC's road challenges is a swing to Indiana for a pair of matches. UC renews their rivalry with #5 Marian on September 1, before traveling to Marion for a 1 p.m. contest against #11 Indiana Wesleyan on September 5. This marks the fifth straight year that the Patriots and Wildcats have squared off with UC winning the previous four.
 
The Patriots return to the UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex for two marquee match ups against Sun Conference opponents. Cumberlands hosts St. Thomas (Sept. 10) followed by a national championship rematch against #1 Keiser on September 12^th. 
 
Mid-South Conference play begins the following week when the Patriots host Georgetown (Sept. 16). Cumberlands earned a pair of victories over the Tigers last season, including a 6-0 win in the opening round of the MSC Tournament.
 
The Patriots step out of conference play for a road contest against Olivet Nazarene on September 19^th. This will be the first meeting between these two teams since 2024 NAIA Opening Round when UC defeated the Tigers 6-1.
 
Cumberlands then travels to Columbia, KY for a matchup against #15 Lindsey Wilson September 26. UC closes its three-match road stretch at Campbellsville (Oct 1^st).  The Patriots and Tigers last met in the championship game of the MSC Tournament. 
 
The Patriots return home for three consecutive conference matches in October. UC hosts #19 Cumberland on October 8^th before facing Bethel (Oct. 15) in their final home conference match.  Cumberlands will close out their home slate on October 21^st when they host #13 Life.  It'll be UC's first match with the Running Eagles since 2021. 
 
Cumberlands concludes the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a 3 p.m. road match against Freed-Hardeman in Henderson, Tennessee.
 
The MSC Tournament will take place following the regular season with each match taking place at the higher-seed.  The top-seed in the tournament will get a bye into the semifinals.
 
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