TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's soccer team opens the 2026 season against Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Bearcats will then travel to Champaign, Ill., for their first road match against the Fighting Illini at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Demirjian Park.
Cincinnati's match versus Eastern Kentucky will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+.
// SERIES HISTORY
Cincinnati has faced Eastern Kentucky four times in its history, with the Bearcats holding a 4-0 edge.
The series started in 2009 at EKU Soccer Field, resulting in a 3-2 win for the Bearcats.
// RETURNING STRENGTHS
Cincinnati returns five starters from last season, including Anna Barber, who started every match (19), along with Emma Gioffre (18 starts) and Carly Oubs (16 starts). Four of UC's 12 returners appeared in double-digit games for the Red & Black.
While the Bearcats will miss starting goalkeeper Camryn Miller, they return their main defensive line, featuring Gioffre, Oubs and Christa Gibbons.
// NEW CATS ON THE BLOCK
The Bearcats welcome six transfers and eight freshman to the 2026 roster. Cincinnati's freshman class includes Molly Kubistek, Joelle Bader, Braelyn Even, Rhegan Coombs, Jade Dubois, Allysia Iaquinto, Brooklynn Schomaker and Vanessa Kaminski-Roth.
Transfers Brylee Borgman (Central Michigan), Vanessa Manoil (Daytona State), Amber Branum (Wright State), Katelyn Jamie (DePaul), Tiana Campbell (Concord) and Ally Gilbert (Rhode Island) also join the Bearcats.
// TRANSFERS TO NOTE
Transfers Borgman, Manoil, Branum, Jamie, Campbell and Gilbert bring experience to the 2026 crew and look to make a big impact on the field.
Borgman, a 5-foot-9 goalkeeper, played in 13 matches, starting in 11 for the Chippeawas, where she recorded 70 saves and over 1,000 minutes last season.
Manoil, a 5-foot-9 midfielder, played in 20 matches starting in 17 for the Falcons where she recorded three, goals, seven assists and 13 points.
Branum, a 5-foot-6 defender, played in a total of 50 matches starting in 39 at her time at Wright State recording one goal, five assists and 32 shots.
Jamie, a 5-foot-5 forward, started in 15 matches for DePaul last season recording a hat trick versus Chicago State.
Campbell, a 5-foot-8 forward, started in 19 matches for the Mountain Lions leading the MEC in goals with 16, recording 36 points, 84 shots, and four assists last season.
Gilbert, a 5-foot-6 defender, played and started in all 18 matches for Rhode Island where she recorded 1,666 minutes.
// MILESTONE WATCH
Transfer junior forward Tiana Campbell is five goals away from the 30-goal milestone.
Transfer graduate goalkeeper Brylee Borgman is 30 saves from 100 career saves.
// A WIN WOULD...
Improve UC's all-time record to 5-0 versus Eastern Kentucky.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
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