TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State opens the 2026 season this week as the Sycamores travel to Macomb, Ill. for a nonconference matchup at Western Illinois. Kickoff at the John MacKenzie Alumni Field is set for 2 p.m. ET.
 
The Sycamores head into the third season under the leadership of head coach Paul Lawrence as Indiana State looks to build off an 8-6-6 record, including a 4-2-3 mark in Missouri Valley play. The season included Indiana State's first home MVC playoff match since the 2021 season after finishing third overall in the MVC standings.
 
Indiana State will look to build off their preseason momentum after the Sycamores topped Ball State in a midweek exhibition on August 6 in Muncie, Ind. Madison Ziebarth scored the go-ahead goal in the exhibition matchup against Cardinals, while all three of the Indiana State goalkeepers combined to post a clean sheet in the 1-0 win.
 
The Sycamores controlled the tempo throughout the contest against the Cardinals and return a bevy of experience on the pitch on both the attacking and defensive sides of the ball.
 
Indiana State returns four of its top five leading goal scorers from the 2025 campaign, including junior forward Alex Lehnert who paced the Sycamores with nine goals and six assists over the year. The New Lenox, Ill. native led the Valley in points (24), points per game (1.20), goals scored (9), assists (6), and was second in the league in shots per game (2.85).
 
Also returning for the Sycamores include forward Tori Angelo (six goals, two assists), Isabella Berta (three goals, four assists), and Kaitlynn Long (three goals, four assists). Addyson Warner (three goals), and Quinn Urquhart (two goals) also found success in finding the back of the net multiple times last season.
 
Indiana State also looks to the development of forward Hailey Morgan, CharlieBleu Saunders, Elise McDonald, Peyton Wetzel, Ashlyn Cohen, and Addison Hamm, while freshmen Meagyn Riffle and Emely Lopez are expected to see playing time in the early portion of the season.
 
Defensively, the Sycamores return strength with the development of defenders Riley Mathews and Mackenzie Mills following standout freshmen seasons. Indiana State also returns the experience of Avery Oergel, Madison Ziebarth, Kaylin Klutcharch, and Freya Robbie to help anchor the backline.
 
The Sycamores also welcomed depth and athleticism to the defensive group with the additions of Ava Evans, Dominae Butler, Ava Stevens set to bolster the group.
 
Inside the net, Indiana State will see several new faces make their debut with the Sycamores in the 2026 season. Sophomore Sofie Hansen, freshman Allie Turnbull, and sophomore Annah Wasiak are expected to battle for playing time as the season continues.
 
The Leathernecks head into the regular season looking to continue their growth under second-year head coach Ross Henderson. WIU returns 10 players from last season's program, while welcoming 12 players to the roster after posting a 1-17-1 record in 2025.
 
WIU fell in both of their exhibition matches in the preseason, dropping 1-0 decisions to both Northern Illinois and Quincy.
 
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