WSOC | Gaels Set To Host Columbia, Northern Arizona To Close Non-Conference Home Slate

Thursday, September 3

Moraga, CA

5:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

Columbia

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#7 Lexi Chatterton

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

WSOC | Gaels Set To Host Columbia, Northern Arizona To Close Non-Conference Home Slate

9/1/2026 4:06:00 PM | Women's Soccer

MORAGA, Calif. -Saint Mary's returns home to Moraga after an upset 1-0 victory over the USC Trojans, extending their unbeaten streak to 11 games and tying the second longest unbeaten run in program history, a run which dates back to the 2020-21 season. The Gaels also extended their program-record streak of shutouts to open a season to five games, and remain one of seven teams in the country to not allow a goal in the 2026 campaign. Saint Mary's will take on the Columbia Lions for the first time since 2007, as well as the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks for the first time since 2006 in two key matchups to close out their non-conference home slate.

GAME COVERAGE AND INFORMATION

WSOC | Saint Mary's vs. Columbia | Saint Mary's Stadium
Moraga, Calif. | September 3rd | 5:00 PM
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Tickets

WSOC | Saint Mary's vs. Northern Arizona | Saint Mary's Stadium
Moraga, Calif. | September 6th | 1:00 PM
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Tickets

GAELS OUTLOOK

Gaels Upset Trojans 1-0; Receiving Votes in Latest IWSOC/USC Poll…

Saint Mary's capped off arguably its toughest two-game stretch of the season thus far with matchups against No. 14 Georgetown and Big Ten member USC on the road. After a scoreless draw with the Hoyas at home last week, Saint Mary's went down to Southern California and upset USC this past weekend thanks to a game-winner from Ashlyn Vaughn in the 76th minute.

Soraya Souvanaphong got the start in goal once again and made a pair of saves in the first half, but the redshirt freshman would be forced to exit due to an injury in the 17th minute. 2025 WCC Goalkeeper of the Year Kate Plachy would come in for her season debut and not miss a beat, finishing the match with a season-high five saves and getting a share of her 19th career shutout. The Gaels secured their first win over a Big Ten opponent since 2011 and as a result were receiving votes in this week's IWSOC poll for their first appearance in the poll this season.

Defensive Masterclass…

The Gaels have been nothing short of extraordinary on the defensive end to start the 2026 season. Led by graduate student and captain Anna Emperador, Saint Mary's remains the only team in the West Coast Conference yet to allow a goal in 2026, as well as the only team in the conference yet to suffer a loss. In a recent interview with the WCC, Emperador highlighted the importance of having a defensive mentality, stating, "Every block, clearance and recovery run are treated just as important as scoring a goal. That mentality of doing whatever it takes to keep the ball out of the net is what this group has bought into."

While wingbacks Molly Silva and Aleiyah Schexnayder have been as solid as Gaels fans recall from a season ago, a pleasant surprise to this stellar backline has been redshirt freshman Faith Gunter. Gunter this season is the only Gael yet to leave the pitch, and has filled the much-needed center back role after graduating experienced defenders Jessie Hawes and Amari Hicks. Discussing the pairing of Emperador and Gunter, head coach Theresa Romagnolo stated, "Anna and Faith are complementing each other well at the center back position. They've been a great pairing and complement each other well. We are excited to have them both back."

Plachy Returns, Earns First WCC Defensive Player of the Week Of The Season…

For the sixth time in her collegiate career, redshirt junior goalkeeper Kate Plachy was named the WCC Defensive Player of the Week following her first 73 minutes of action of the season in a 1-0 victory over USC. While redshirt freshman goalkeeper Soraya Souvanaphong has been outstanding to begin her collegiate career, Souvanaphong was forced to leave the pitch following an injury just 17 minutes into the match. Up stepped Plachy, the reigning 2025 WCC Goalkeeper of the Year, delivering a five-save performance and leading the Gaels to their first victory over a Big Ten school since 2011, when the Gaels took down Northwestern 3-2 in Moraga.

Series History…

The Gaels have very little history against the Lions and Lumberjacks, last facing off against the Lions in 2007, as well as the Lumberjacks in 2006. The Gaels are 2-0 all-time against Columbia, taking down the Lions 2-1 at home in 2004, and most recently in a neutral site matchup 2-1 in 2007. As for the Lumberjacks, the Gaels are 0-1 in their history against Northern Arizona, falling 1-0 to the Lumberjacks in 2006 at a neutral site matchup.

ABOUT THE LIONS (1-1-2, 0-0-0 IVY LEAGUE)

After a 6-7-3 finish in 2025, the Columbia Lions were picked to finish fourth in the Ivy League under 13th-year head coach Tracey Bartholomew. Bartholomew led the Lions to their first NCAA Tournament victory in program history in 2023, and looks to bring them back to the national stage in 2026. The Lions finished third in the conference a season ago at 4-2-1, making it to the Ivy League semifinals before falling to eventual tournament champion Dartmouth 1-0.

The Lions picked up their first win of the season 2-1 this past Sunday over La Salle University, a game highlighted by a first collegiate goal from freshman Maya Nuwayhid. Columbia's only loss this season came against the Villanova Wildcats, who remain one of seven teams in the country, including the Gaels, yet to allow a goal in the 2026 campaign.

ABOUT THE LUMBERJACKS (1-2-1, 0-0-0 BIG SKY)

Searching for their first Big Sky Championship since 2022, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks are led by fourth-year head coach Alan Berrios. Berrios officially took over as head coach prior to the 2023 season after taking over as interim head coach midway through the 2022 season. Berrios went on to lead the Lumberjacks to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2014, before falling 4-1 to eventual National Champion UCLA Bruins.

After finishing 6-6-7 in 2025, the Lumberjacks were picked to finish fourth in the Big Sky and are led by redshirt junior and forward Micala Boex. Boex was named to the 2026 Big Sky Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team as Preseason MVP after becoming the first NAU player since 2021 to eclipse the 20-point mark with eight goals and six assists. Boex is the only Lumberjack in 2026 yet to leave the pitch, and scored in NAU's only victory of the season over UC Riverside.

Kick off for Thursday's match is slated for 5:00 p.m with Sunday's match set to take place at 1:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at smcgaels.com/tickets, with both matches available to stream live on ESPN+.

Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.

GAMEDAY POLICIES & PROCEDURES: Please note the department's gameday policies, including the use of a clear bag. Additional information on the 'Clear Bag' policy and other gameday protocols can be found HERE or at smcgaels.com.

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