By: Ryan Henry
Wednesday, August 12
8 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (0-0-0) at #21 Memphis (0-0-0)
Location: Memphis, Tenn. | Billy J. Murphy Soccer/Track & Field Complex
Follow KSU Soccer - X / Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State women's soccer opens the season on the road, taking on No. 21 Memphis. It's the second straight year the Owls begin their season against the Tigers as they hosted Memphis in the 2025 season opener.
The Tigers are coming off their best season in program history, turning in a 17-1-3 record and climbing as high as third in the United Soccer Coaches rankings.
The Net Minders
After combining for all 17 starts last season, goalkeepers
Charlee Bernal and
Sara Hill return for the 2026 season. Bernal is entering her fifth season at The Saw, further cementing herself in the record books. She currently sits sixth in program history in saves (139) and seventh in games played among goalies (32). Hill is coming off an incredible debut campaign at KSU. In her eight starts, she finished third among CUSA goalkeepers in save percentage (.816) and fifth in goals-against-average (1.12).
Youth Movement
After 10 departures from last year's squad, KSU has ushered in a youth movement for this season. Ten incoming freshmen and one sophomore transfer means 17 of the 26 players on the roster are underclassmen. In the Owls' first scrimmage against defending ASUN champion Lipscomb, five of the 11 starters were underclassmen, with
Sara Hill playing the second half in goal after
Charlee Bernal started. The entire starting forward group was made up of either freshmen or sophomores with
Julia Balchen,
Melissa Mert and
Caroline Shaw getting the nod.
International Flair
In addition to the youth movement, head coach
Chris Cahill has recruited international talent with an emphasis on players from The Great White North.
Julia Balchen was the first Canadian to come to the Peach State under Cahill, and four more Canadians have joined her this year.
Melianne Berthe,
Aaliyah McDiarmid,
Melissa Mert, and
Ashley Tan all join the frey, spanning from British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. Two other fellow freshmen (
Natalie Bruno and
Sian Kellier) were born in the United States but have experienced playing international soccer for the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
Iron Woman
Sydni Whitehead hit the ground running in 2025 after transferring from Bellarmine. The defensive midfielder was one of two players last season to start every contest and finished second in minutes played at 1350. In the process, she received CUSA All-Academic Team and CSC Academic All-District honors. This year she is the Owls most experienced outfield player, having started in all 55 matches she's competed in. She's expected to lead a young Owls squad from the holding midfielder position.
TDS Breakout Selection
Another veteran in the Owls locker room is junior
Delaney Edwards. After an impressive freshman season, Edwards built off that in 2025. She played in every contest, starting in 16, as she anchored the defense as an outside back. She logged 1270 total minutes (fifth on the team), including a four-game stretch in conference play where she was never subbed off. Entering this season, publication TopDrawerSoccer named her as a CUSA Breakout Candidate.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
