GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's soccer team is set to begin postseason play by traveling to Johnson City, Tennessee, to battle No. 11 VMI on Friday at 6:00 p.m. at Summers-Taylor Stadium for a first-round contest. Friday's game will be one of three first-round games to begin the quest in the 2026 Southern Conference (SoCon) Tournament.
The Spartans enter the tournament as the sixth seed with their 7-6-5 overall record and 3-3-4 conference mark. The Keydets concluded the regular season 0-18-1 overall and 0-10 in the league, earning the final spot in the standings.
Game information
Game 19: No. 6 UNC Greensboro (7-6-5, 3-3-4 SoCon) vs. No. 11 VMI (0-18-1, 0-10 SoCon)
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Date: Friday, Nov. 6
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Johnson City, Tenn. (Summers-Taylor Stadium)
Tickets: Click here to purchase tickets
Coverage: Live Stats: Click here | Video: ESPN+
Social media: Twitter: @UNCGWSoccer | Instagram: @uncgwsoccer | Facebook: UNCGWomenSoccer
Series vs. VMI
- The Spartans are leading the all-time series 14-1 against VMI.
- UNCG is 8-0 at home and on a 12-game win streak against the Keydets.
- The Spartans claimed a 4-2 win over the Keydets this season in Lexington, Virginia, on Sept. 20.
Spartans in SoCon postseason
- UNCG has won eight SoCon Championships since joining the league in 1997, with the last title coming in 2018.
- Last season, the Spartans defeated No. 10 VMI, 2-0, in Greensboro, before falling 4-3 in overtime to No. 2 Western Carolina in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
- In 2024, UNCG defeated No. 10 The Citadel at home, 3-0, before falling to No. 2 Samford in Birmingham, Alabama, 2-1, in a SoCon quarterfinal game.
- The 2022 season was the last time UNCG played in a SoCon Championship game. Samford and UNCG tied, 0-0, but the Bulldogs claimed the title after taking the edge in penalty kicks, 6-5.
- UNCG and VMI have faced off in playoffs in the 2018 and 2025 seasons. The Spartans earned a 3-2 victory in Greensboro in 2018 and shut out VMI with a 2-0 win last season.
Last time out for the Spartans
UNCG concluded the regular season with a scoreless draw against Wofford in Greensboro. The Spartans held a 10-9 advantage in total shots. The Terriers led 3-2 in shots on goal and 8-3 in corner kicks. UNCG's goalkeeper Blythe Clark made three saves in her shutout performance.
About the Spartans
- The Spartans added nine newcomers to a roster of 18 returners.
- Sophomore Laney Smith is leading the Spartans' offense with 14 points (5G, 4A).
- Classmate Madison Bass is second on the team with 11 points, scoring four goals and chipping in three assists.
- Junior Merle Greulich is third on the team with five goals and 10 points.
- Senior Rina Ogimoto and junior Avery Barr are the other two Spartans with multiple goals this season, scoring two each.
- Fifteen Spartans have contributed to the team's offense so far this season.
- Clark has played in 1,439 minutes, totaling 56 saves and allowing 21 goals.
- UNCG has six shutouts this season, which matches the total from 2024.
- The Spartans opened 2026 with a 1-0 victory over Triad rival High Point, marking their first season-opening win since 2023.
- The Spartans concluded the 2025 season 4-12-3 overall and 2-4-3 in the SoCon.
- The Blue & Gold tallied five shutouts and scored 22 goals, which is the most since the 2022 season.
- The Spartans were voted to finish seventh in the 2026 SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll, earning 43 points.
- Ogimoto was named to the 2026 SoCon Preseason All-Conference Team.
- Ogimoto started in all 19 games last season for the Blue & Gold with a total of 1,465 minutes. She notched a team-best six goals and 14 points, along with two assists, during the 2025 campaign.
About the Keydets
- VMI concluded the 2025 season 2-7-1 overall and 0-9 in the SoCon.
- VMI was voted to finish 11th in the 2026 SoCon Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- This season, opponents have outscored the Keydets, 68-10, and outshot VMI 419-124.
- Jordan Davis leads the Keydets with three goals and six points, while Jaleesa Eichel is second with two goals and four points.
- Eleven Keydets have contributed at least one point this season.
- In net, Maren Ryberg has started and played in 17 games this season, has given up 48 goals and recorded 123 saves.
