After securing a share of the Southern Conference regular-season title, the Samford women’s soccer team is turning its attention to postseason play as the Bulldogs prepare to defend their conference tournament championship.
Samford enters the 2026 SoCon Women’s Soccer Championship as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season with an 11-2-5 overall record and an undefeated 8-0-2 record in conference play.
The Bulldogs share the regular-season title with Furman, which finished with an identical conference record. However, Samford earned the top seed through the conference tiebreaker, securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage heading into the quarterfinals.
Samford secured its share of the title with a dominant 6-0 victory over VMI on Nov. 1, marking the program’s 12th regular-season conference championship since joining the SoCon in 2008.
The Bulldogs wasted little time establishing control against VMI, scoring three goals in the opening 20 minutes. Caroline Smith opened the scoring in the sixth minute, followed by goals from Langston Lilly and Sam De Luca.
Samford continued its offensive dominance in the second half, with Mary-Ainsley Alack, Martha Bishop and Ella Raider each finding the net. Ella Raider’s goal marked the first of her collegiate career.
The victory capped off an impressive regular season finish for the Bulldogs, who enter the tournament on a five game winning streak. Samford also recorded shutout victories against Chattanooga, Tennessee Tech, The Citadel and UNC Greensboro during that stretch.
The Bulldogs will face No. 9 seed Western Carolina, who enters Sunday’s quarterfinal matchup with a 5-11-3 overall record and a 2-6-2 conference record. The Catamounts advanced after defeating The Citadel 4-3 in Friday’s opening round.
Samford and Western Carolina previously met during the regular season, with Samford earning a 2-1 victory. The Bulldogs also hold a 16-5-2 advantage in the all-time series.
A quarterfinal victory would advance Samford to the semifinals, where the Bulldogs would face the winner of No. 4 Tennessee Tech and No. 5 Chattanooga. The semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 12 or 13, with the championship match set for Nov. 15.
The highest remaining seed will host the semifinals and championship, giving Samford an opportunity to continue playing on its home field if they advance.
The Bulldogs enter the tournament seeking their third consecutive SoCon tournament championship after defeating Mercer 4-1 in last year’s championship match.
With another regular season title secured, Samford now has its sights set on a larger prize of a conference tournament championship and the SoCon’s automatic ticket in to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.
As postseason play approaches, the Bulldogs will look to carry their regular-season success into the tournament, beginning Sunday, Nov. 1 in front of their home crowd.
Staff Reporter
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