FORT MYERS, Fla.- The 20^th anniversary season of Florida Gulf Coast University Women's Soccer kicks off on Wednesday, August 12^th as they host the Houston Cougars out of the Big 12 at home at Pickering Field in a 7 p.m. kick off.

FGCU looks to start their 2026 campaign off on the right foot after going 11-5-2 a season ago, marking their 18^th 10 win season in program history. The Eagles clinched the ASUN Graphite Division Championship with an 8-1-1 mark, their 12^th conference regular season or division championship in program history. They were picked atop the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll with 54 points, four ahead of second place Lipscomb who collected the most first place votes with four.

The Eagles return a wealth of experience including seven players that saw action in all 18 games a year ago as underclassmen. Leading the pack at each level are Preseason All-ASUN selections in forward Maya Henley Buisan, midfielder Kate Friday, and defender Ryanne Robinson. FGCU also brings back starting keeper Madara Bome who spent the summer with the Latvian National Team after being selected to the ASUN All-Freshman Team in 2025.

The matchup is the first between the Eagles and Cougars and FGCU's first regular season date with a Big 12 opponent since the 2015 season. It will mark the first time a Big 12 foe has set foot on the pitch at Pickering Field.

Houston picked up results in 14 of 18 games a season ago, finishing 7-4-7 overall and 2-4-5 in Big 12 action. The Cougars were picked 10^th in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll this season.

The Cougars bring back a seasoned group to the mix in 2026 with 17 upperclassmen on the roster including five fifth-year players. They return 24 of their 34 goals from a season ago including top scorer Samira Minor who found the back of the net six times during her freshman campaign.

The gates at Pickering Field will open at 6 p.m. with Happy Hour scheduled for the hour leading up to kick off with select beer just $5. There will also be shuttles from SoVi running to Pickering Field where FGCU students can enter Wednesday and all 2026 home games for free.
For more information on FGCU women's soccer, follow @FGCU_WSoccer on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit fgcuathletics.com.