Doug Pfeiler

The 2025 Corban women's soccer team celebrates a goal scored against The Evergreen State College.

Women's Soccer 8/7/2026 3:00:00 PM Clayton Messerle, Assistant Athletic Director

Women’s Soccer Season Preview – Kagey’s Return to the Helm Brings Renewed Focus for Warriors

SALEM, Ore. – A restored era officially begins for the Corban University Women's Soccer program in 2026 as head coach Tim Kagey embarks on his first full season leading the Warriors since the 2021-22 school year. Following a challenging 5-12 overall campaign and 2-10 Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) record in 2025, Corban enters the fall with a blend of experienced veterans, a talented recruiting class, and renewed optimism as the program looks to climb the conference standings once again.

"We're excited about the group we've assembled and the direction of this program," said Kagey. "We have a strong core of returning players who have continued to invest in the culture we're building, and we've added a recruiting class that brings talent, character, and competitive experience. Our goal is to compete every day, continue growing as a team, and put ourselves in position to return to the conference tournament. This group is hungry to prove itself, and we're looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together this fall."

Kagey, who returned to the women's program after building one of the most successful stretches in both Corban men's and women's soccer history, inherits a roster featuring 16 returners and 13 newcomers. Seven starters return from last year's squad, while a recruiting class loaded with impact transfers and accomplished high school standouts brings both immediate talent and long-term promise to Salem.

After showing flashes throughout 2025, including victories over NCAA DIII schools Lewis & Clark College and Pacific Lutheran University alongside NAIA programs in Simpson University, The Evergreen State College, and Walla Walla University, the Warriors believe the pieces are in place to take a significant step forward this season.

Season Schedule/Key Matchups

Corban will have several opportunities to prepare for the regular season before official competition begins. The Warriors open with scrimmages against Chemeketa Community College on August 15th and Pierce College on August 23rd at the Outdoor Athletic Complex, sandwiching a road trip to face Simpson University on August 21st.

The regular season slate features a challenging non-conference schedule designed to test the Warriors early. Road contests against NCAA DIII schools Pacific University, George Fox University, and Linfield University will provide valuable experience before conference play begins. Corban will also host Pacific Union College and Stanton University in early September as the coaching staff continues to evaluate combinations and establish the team's identity.

CCC competition begins on September 17th when the Warriors host the University of Providence. That contest starts a pivotal stretch for Corban, as perennial conference contenders Eastern Oregon University and a nationally ranked College of Idaho squad visit Salem on consecutive days the following weekend.

Additional key conference matchups include home contests against Bushnell University, Oregon Tech, Southern Oregon University, while the Navy and Gold will hit the road for the final week of the regular season against Carroll College and Rocky Mountain College. Corban will wrap up the regular season with four of their final six conference games at home, providing an opportunity to build momentum toward a return to the CCC Tournament.

Conference Outlook

The CCC remains one of the most competitive conferences in the NAIA, featuring nationally recognized programs such as The College of Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, and Oregon Tech. Every point earned throughout conference play will be critical as teams jockey for postseason positioning, all of whom will be attempting to knock the Yotes from their regular season championship dynasty.

For Corban, the primary objective is clear: return to the conference tournament after narrowly missing qualification in 2025. The Warriors possess significantly more depth than a season ago, particularly in the midfield and defensive units, while a number of proven transfers should provide an immediate boost in key areas. If the newcomers integrate quickly and the returning core elevates its production, Corban has the potential to make a substantial jump in the conference standings.

Key Losses/Returners

The Warriors must replace the production of several key departures, most notably Honorable Mention All-CCC forward Maya Alston. Alston started all 17 matches in 2025 and led Corban with eight goals, 17 points, 62 shots, and three game-winning goals while serving as the focal point of the Warrior attack.

Additional losses include defensive starters Chloe Vanderhoof and Delaney Fiedler, both of whom started every match for Corban last season. Vanderhoof logged a team-high 1,518 minutes while adding two assists, while Fiedler contributed one goal and one assist across 17 starts. Midfielder Abril Dimas Camacho also departs after starting 13 contests and scoring a goal in 2025.

Fortunately for the Navy and Gold, several experienced contributors return. Junior defender Meliah Servatius anchors the back line after starting all 17 contests last season and earning CSC Academic All-District recognition. Her leadership and nearly 1,500 minutes of experience will prove invaluable for a defense integrating multiple newcomers.

Redshirt junior Kelsey Guzon returns after starting all 17 matches and logging more than 1,260 minutes in the midfield and defensive third. Her versatility and consistency make her one of the Warriors' most dependable players. Senior midfielder Gabrielle Nakamura enters her final season after appearing in all 17 contests and providing leadership in the center of the pitch. Sophomore forward Kate Dickson also returns after finishing second on the team with two goals and adding an assist despite appearing in 15 matches as a true freshman.

Perhaps the biggest addition won't technically be a newcomer. Redshirt senior forward Kelli Huskic returns after missing both the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to injury, with the former Clark College transfer having recorded four goals and three assists in 2023 and has the potential to immediately bolster Corban's offensive production.

Senior goalkeeper Ava Hayes also returns to the roster after earning Honorable Mention All-CCC recognition in 2025. Hayes posted a .827 save percentage and recorded two shutouts while helping keep the Warriors competitive against some of the NAIA's toughest opposition.

Newcomers to Watch

The Warrior recruiting class features a mix of proven transfers and highly accomplished prep standouts capable of making immediate impacts.

In goal, junior transfer Jordyn Labajo-Cleaver arrives from Peninsula College after helping the Pirates capture the 2024 NWAC Championship. She allowed only two goals across two collegiate seasons and recorded eight combined shutouts, creating healthy competition alongside Hayes for minutes between the posts.

One of the headliners of the class is freshman midfielder/forward Eliza Nisly. The Amity High School standout concluded her prep career with 108 goals and 48 assists while earning Oregon 1A/2A/3A State Player of the Year honors. Her attacking creativity and goal-scoring instincts could provide an immediate spark for the Warrior offense.

Fellow Amity product Haley Miersma also arrives with an impressive résumé that includes three First-Team All-Conference selections and 2025 Second-Team All-State honors after helping lead Amity to a state championship, proving she has the ability to combo with her high school teammate in Nisly atop the Warrior attacking front.

The midfield receives a significant boost through transfers Olivia Fitzpatrick and Diana Correa. Fitzpatrick joins Corban after appearing in 59 games and making 58 starts over three seasons at George Fox University, while Correa arrives from NCAA Division I Chicago State University after appearing in 15 contests as a true freshman. Correa also scored 53 goals during her distinguished high school career.

Additional newcomers expected to compete for meaningful minutes include defenders Natalie Beegle, Bailey Robinson, and Amylia Akers, goalkeeper Sadie Warden, versatile midfielder/defender Ellie Stickles, forward Isis Ponce, midfielder Katie Zehrung, and forward/midfielder Sayje Castronovo. Each brings strong athletic credentials and additional depth to a roster that is far deeper than a season ago.

Warrior Whims (Final Thoughts)

The 2026 season represents more than just another campaign for Corban Women's Soccer. It marks the beginning of a new chapter under Kagey, a coach with extensive familiarity with the university, the conference, and the expectations that accompany the Warrior program.

While replacing Alston's offensive production and multiple defensive starters is no small task, Corban enters the fall with reasons for optimism. Hayes, Servatius, Guzon, Nakamura, Dickson, and Huskic provide a veteran foundation, while one of the program's strongest recruiting classes in recent years dramatically improves depth and competition throughout the roster.

Ultimately, the Warriors' success may depend on whether the influx of newcomers can quickly mesh with the returning core within one of the most difficult conferences to compete in across the NAIA. If Corban can improve upon its offensive efficiency, maintain its defensive structure, and capitalize on its added depth, a return to the CCC Tournament is well within reach. For a program looking to reestablish itself among the conference contenders after just missing out on postseason contention at the conclusion of last fall, 2026 offers an opportunity to turn potential into progress and lay the foundation for sustained success in the years ahead.