Waxahachie, TX - Nelson University Women's Soccer enters the 2026 season looking to build off the success they had last year. The Lady Lions are coming off a 2025 campaign where they advanced to the NCCAA Central Regional Championship Semifinals with a record of 8-8-3, finished with a .500 record. The team set a program record for cumulative goals scored, with 45 for the season. 

Off the field, the Lady Lions earned a Scholar Team Award with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in the fall. With these accomplishments, the Lady Lions are eager to get back on the field this season.

Preseason Look in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC)

The Lady Lions placed 6th in the 2026 SAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll after earning 39 points. 

Returning Talent

Veteran leadership always provides a strong founation for a team heading into their season. The Lady Lions are familiar with this as they have a lot of talent returning from their 2025 roster. 

• Stephanie Hernandez (Forward) - Skilled offensive threat, coming off a season with 7 goals and 2 assists. 
• Damaris Solis (Forward) - Previous SAC Player of the Week award winner. 
• Daisy Ruiz (Midfielder) - As a freshman, scored 3 goals and 6 assists while earning NCCAA All-Central Region honors. 
• Anna Stovall (Forward) - Young, talented offensive weapon looking to build off a promising freshman season. 
• Delaney Murphy (Goalkeeper) - Sophomore goalkeeper who tallied 65 saves last year. 
• Mackenzie Gonzalez (Defender) - NCCAA All-Central Region honoree who brings a spark to the Nelson back line. 

New Faces on Campus

In addition to their returning core, the Lady Lions have brought in a deep recruiting class, loaded with talent. 

• Anna Brewer (Goalkeeper) - NJCAA All-Region player and two time high school state champion. 
• Jaylene Bosquez (Midfielder) and Lizeth Moreno (Forward) - two highly decorated high school athletes that will provide a spark to the Lady Lion's offensive attack. 
• Victoria Valdez (Midfielder) - A young, talented defensive presence that will strengthen the Nelson defense. 

Coach's Insight

"We are incredibly excited about this year's group" states Head Coach Cesar España. "The balance of experience and leadership from our returners, along with the talent and depth that our incoming class provides, makes this team a very special one." España highlights that "one of the most special aspects of our program is the culture we have. We have built it on values such as unity, perseverance, communication, and servant leadership, which we are excited to show on the field this season." 

Early Challenges

The Nelson Women's Soccer Team will start their season off on the road at Texas A&M Texarkana on August 29 at 7:00 PM. 
They will return and make their home debut at the Lion's Athletic Complex on September 1 as they take on the University of Houston-Victoria at 8:30 PM. 

Come out and support your Lady Lion's this year, purchase your tickets here: Get Your Tickets Here

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.