MONTGOMERY, Ala. – It was a raucous start to the 2026 campaign for the Presbyterian College women's soccer team, traveling to Alabama State on Sunday afternoon and departing with a 3-1 victory.
The Blue Hose are undefeated in season-openers since head coach
Matt Smith took the position in 2024 (road wins over Wofford and Alabama State, along with a tie against The Citadel), dominating the last 45 minutes on Sunday to break a 1-1 halftime deadlock.
Many fresh faces took the field for their PC debuts, including sophomore USC Upstate transfer
Maddie Smith who produced a brace by scoring in either half.
Rookie
Katy Verdery put the finishing touches on the two-point win by scoring her first collegiate goal in the 75
th minute, while fellow freshman
Alexa Garcia turned in a full shift at keeper.
Presbyterian now has the opportunity to begin a season 2-0 for the first time in nine years, headed back to the friendly confines of Martin Stadium this Friday night to face Newberry at 7:00. ESPN+ will have live coverage of the contest.
FINAL SCORE: Presbyterian, 3 – Alabama State, 1
RECORDS: Presbyterian (1-0)…Alabama State (0-2)
LOCATION: ASU Soccer Complex (Montgomery, Ala.)
OFF TO THE RACES
- With six newcomers in the starting lineup (and playing nine total that were making their debut, either as a transfer or an outright freshman), the young Scotsmen passed their first test with flying colors.
- One of those unknowns, Smith hit the back of the net at 15:01 and 56:47. No PC newcomer since the D-I transition nearly 20 years ago had ever scored twice in their first performance until now.
- On a similar note, Verdery became the first PC freshman to score in her college debut since 2017 (a day where two others achieved that feat in a victory over Furman).
- Garcia did not concede a goal for the final 85 minutes after an early slip-up, becoming the first freshman keeper in Presby's Division I history to earn the win in her debut.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Blue Hose improved to 6-1-1 versus Alabama State all-time, outscoring them 12-2 in their last five encounters. That includes a 5-0 beatdown in Clinton last season.
- ASU struck first after just five minutes, but the momentum quickly swung back in PC's favor thanks to Smith's left-footed hit which tied the count at one apiece.
- Coach Smith's crew had four shots at the midway point, but completely controlled the second period to outshoot the Hornets 9-1 after halftime.
- PC was seldom threatened on the defensive end after jumping in front, as Garcia needed just two saves to preserve the game one win.
- Alabama State's only offensive action in the final 35 minutes was a single corner kick that did not amount to a shot attempt.
- Sophomore forward
Maddi Merryweather assisted on Smith's second connection, the third helper of her young career. Coincidentally, she also registered an assist in last year's victory over this same opponent.
