Women's Soccer 8/21/2026 1:59:00 PM

Phoenix Women's Soccer Reloads with Sights Set on National Success

LEBANON, Tenn. - - Entering the new season ranked No. 19 nationally, Head Coach Scott Davidson begins his eighth season at the helm of the Phoenix, with the team looking to build on another successful campaign and take the next step on the national stage.

The Phoenix come off a 12-5-1 season, including an impressive 5-0-1 conference record that saw them claim a share of the conference title and dominate MSC awards, winning Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Assistant Coach of the Year. The team finished the campaign with 65 goals scored and just 23 conceded before its season came to an end in the Second Round of the NAIA National Championship.

That goal tally ranked Cumberland inside the top 25 in the NAIA and even higher when considering their goals-per-game average of 3.72, a mark that ranked them 11th in the nation. With a conference championship already under their belt, the Phoenix enter this season with ambitions of claiming the title outright and advancing back to the final site after a two-year layoff.

Looking at the previous season, CU often started five or more freshmen, and Head Coach Scott Davidson looked to add high-character players who could come in and compete for spots straight away while also pushing for veteran leadership both on and off the field. A total of 11 newcomers made their way to Lebanon for this season, with eight coming via JUCOs and three as true freshmen.

Speaking of his group, Coach Davidson said, "We've been looking for everyone to buy into what we're trying to achieve, and this group has done it as well as I could have asked. They're an incredibly driven team and have a player-led culture amongst themselves."

Starting from the back, the Phoenix return a strong defensive core while adding veteran depth and experience. The group will lean on senior leadership from captain Sky Hall, who remains a key pillar at the back, while she is partnered by returning Defensive Player of the Year Klara Bjorkman.

Senior Ali Cole and sophomore Second Team All-Conference selection Ida Kjallgren round out the group of returners. Adding further depth to the defensive unit is a trio of junior college transfers in Ruth Rodriguez, Marta Gonzalez, and Sophia Olivera.

The Phoenix midfield brings a combination of proven experience and new talent, led by Second Team All-Conference member Aoi Kanno, who returns after appearing in all 17 games last season. She is joined by returning sophomore Lilly Adair.

The list of newcomers in the midfield includes junior transfers Anllely Fuentes, Sabrina Barbosa, and Saki Takaki, while freshmen Wilma Meijer and Angie Abreu add further options and youthful energy to the position.

Cumberland's high-flying attack shouldn't miss a beat as Second Team All-Conference forward Victoria Collins returns as the team's joint-leading scorer. Joining her are returning sophomore Adelyn Drane, along with seniors Abigale Alexander, Allyson Hawkins, Uxia Varela, and Kaylie Torrens.

Drane and Varela both return as the team's second-leading goalscorers among returners, with the pair each scoring five on the year while also combining for 11 assists. Alexander and Hawkins both made their way to Cumberland via Columbia State, and fans got to see what Hawkins could provide as the Murfreesboro native scored a goal every 50 minutes of action.

Alexander, on the other hand, was coming back from injury and wasn't able to get on the field in 2025, but looks ready to make an impact in her senior season. Davidson spoke on Alexander's ability, saying, "Abi has looked excellent all preseason long and she will play a big role. I can't wait to see her on the field"

Torrens rounds out the group of returners, coming off a season in which she didn't participate due to injury, but had scored three goals and added two assists in 2024. Incoming freshman Ana Zamarano adds another attacking option as the Phoenix look to maintain their stellar offensive production.

Leading from between the posts, junior Cieara Johnson returns and provides a calming presence along with two more years of experience. She is joined by freshman Sara Badiani and transfer goalkeeper Sydney Eads, who arrives from Siena Heights University after playing all 20 games for the Saints this past season.

"We always look to play attacking soccer with lots of creativity, but this is ultimately a very disciplined team that knows what it takes to win. We want to go out there and establish our identity and compete for conference and national championships."

Ranked No. 19 nationally to begin the campaign, the message is clear: the Phoenix are not satisfied with simply repeating last season's success. Their sights are set on another conference championship and making a deeper run when the national tournament arrives.

CU will kick off their regular season tomorrow afternoon against a top opponent in No. 3-ranked Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Lindsey Donnell Stadium.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Ali Cole: D; 5' 6"; Junior

#0 Cieara Johnson: GK; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#4 Kaylie Torrens: F; 5' 2"; Junior

#24 Uxia Varela: F; 5' 6"; Junior

#23 Lilly Adair: MF; 5' 6"; Freshman

#5 Abigale Alexander: D; 5' 1"; Junior

#3 Klara Bjorkman: D; 5' 8"; Freshman

#9 Victoria Collins: F; 5' 8"; Freshman

#21 Adelyn Drane: F; 5' 4"; Freshman

#8 Aoi Kanno: MF; 5' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#22 Ali Cole
: 5' 6"; Junior
: D

#0 Cieara Johnson
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: GK

#4 Kaylie Torrens
: 5' 2"; Junior
: F

#24 Uxia Varela
: 5' 6"; Junior
: F

#23 Lilly Adair
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: MF

#5 Abigale Alexander
: 5' 1"; Junior
: D

#3 Klara Bjorkman
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: D

#9 Victoria Collins
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: F

#21 Adelyn Drane
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: F

#8 Aoi Kanno
: 5' 5"; Junior
: MF